Dr. Hla Bai - China Dental Diary

Daily diary of a trip to Thailand

The title above is an echo of the headlines of King Kim Sang's Daily Record of His Visit to France, edited by U Pe Maung Tin. Although the title is similar to the region he traveled to, the century-old vehicle he traveled on, and the duty he carried out, the daily record, or diary, are completely different.

In the late 19th century, the king traveled by ship to Western France and Italy as the ambassador of the King of Mindon and to discuss political issues. On the way, he visited the islands of Penang, Singapore, and the Sihanoukville Islands. On the way back, he visited the cities of Karakoram, Bombay, and Calcutta. In each township he visited, the relevant officials gave him a grand welcome, provided him with food, and organized a tour of the town.

He left Mandalay for Nay Pyi Taw on Saturday, March 7, 1854, and arrived back on Wednesday, October 7 of that year. It took exactly 7 months.

In the late twentieth century, I, a retired professor at the University of London, flew to Beijing, China, as a guest of Peking University, to conduct a study tour of Burmese literature and culture.

During the trip, he spent four days in Kunming, two weeks in Beijing, and then visited the cities of Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Fuzhou, and Gangnau along the eastern coast of China.

In addition to Deqing, we also discussed Kunming, Shanghai and Guangxi. Then we continued to Hong Kong, Bangkok and Singapore. We left Mawlamyine on May 1st. We returned on July 9th. We stayed for 2 months and 9 days.

The king, being a man of the realm, not only recorded the things he saw, heard, and experienced, but also adorned the record with poetic verses and love letters.

In my diary, I carefully record the sights, smells, tastes, and textures that interest me among the many fascinating objects that enter my five senses. I am weak in poetry, so I dare not try to impress the king.

Having lived in the West for over 40 years, I am sure that the Buddhist Burmese people's thoughts and ideas will be alive and well.

Just as the King of Kings and his French and Italian officials were warmly welcomed and treated with hospitality, I have been warmly welcomed and treated with hospitality by many university and educational institutions in China, as well as by many academics, researchers, teachers, students, and students. I have recorded this kindness and love in this diary.

It's not a bad idea.

The instinct to write this diary was established before 1980. Before I returned to Burma permanently in 1980, I had seen photos of China's development in Western magazines and on television, as well as pictures of it, after Mr. Deng Xiaoping came to power and implemented the open-door economic plan.

In May 1988, I was invited to come and give a lecture at the School of Oriental Languages ​​and Cultures at the University of Rheims in France. Then, suddenly, I thought, "What a great idea to visit Beijing for a week or two while I was abroad."

I was so eager to go that I put aside my thoughts and applied for visas for my wife and me to enter eastern China from the Embassy of the People's Republic of China before traveling west. I gave three lectures on Burmese poetry in Paris in May. Then I went to Heidelberg University in Germany and then on to London. While in London I received a letter from U Thaw Kaung, the Central Librarian of the Rangoon Universities.

In the letter, the news of the teachers' visit to Beijing was conveyed to the Cultural Affairs and Secretary of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Yangon, and both of them requested that we not go this year. Since Peking University's school is closed for a long period that month, both the teachers and students of the Burmese Language and Literature Department will have a break. It will be beneficial for both parties if we go while the school is open.

If you only spend a week wandering around Beijing, which is so big and so beautiful, it will be worth the money and effort only if you have someone to accompany you.

Before I left Burma, I had left my itinerary and accommodation details with U Thaw Kaung and other relatives and friends, so I received this letter. I canceled my trip to China and returned to Burma. I thought to myself, "Whatever happens, I will not be able to do it."

I returned to Yangon on July 2. Before returning to Mawlamyine, I stayed at a beach hotel for a while. On the 8th, I met U Moe (b) Pamarkuli Moe (Li Mov), the First Secretary of the Chinese Cultural Embassy. Speaking in Burmese, he said that we did not know when I came to the embassy to get a visa on May 8. If I had known, I would have asked you not to go in July. I plan to be invited by Peking University in May 1989. The weather in Beijing is also suitable in May, and the teachers and students from the Burmese Literature Department will be there, so I can take you wherever you want. There are also reasons for convenience, he explained. I thanked him and promised , " If we agree, I will continue to go. "

I have come to believe in the power of the universe through constant reflection on the events and circumstances I have experienced throughout my life . I have written many articles in opinion journals about accepting the present moment and creating it. Just as everyone is given good and bad luck, I have also realized the importance of what happens when fate strikes in their country.

On March 9, 1989, my wife and I arrived in Yangon. We submitted applications to the relevant authorities to go to Beijing. On the 6th, the Chinese Cultural Attaché, Mr. P Haung (P Haung) and his wife invited us for lunch, so we went. It was raining.

The ambassador was very soft-spoken. He was smiling and smiling, and he spoke softly. An invitation was coming from Peking University. The teachers and students of the Burmese Language and Literature Department wanted to meet the teacher, etc., U Moe said in Burmese. He replied that he had already made arrangements to go. The ambassador and U Moe were overjoyed. They continued to talk over delicious food and drinks.

The two men consulted with the Chinese ambassador and said that the seed planted in the ground was growing strong and soon it would bear fruit. There was a long letter from Hta Ma U dated 139. Attached to that letter were two letters dated March 2nd from the Department of Oriental Languages ​​and Literatures at King's University and from Professor Da Na, the head of the Myanmar branch. They were all in Burmese.

Let me just mention the important points in U Moe's letter. He said that he wanted us to stay in Kunming, which is halfway to Beijing, for 3-4 days, that a friend of his from the Yunnan Southeast Asian Affairs Research Group had invited him, that he wanted us to study relevant subjects at least once, and that the research group would take us to famous places and scenic spots around Kunming.

The following is a letter from the Dean of the Department of Oriental Languages ​​and Literatures at Peking University.

Professor U Hladay

Please eat respectfully to the teacher.

We are proud to invite you and your teacher to visit Peking University and study for two weeks.

We are eagerly awaiting the teacher's presentation as we are curious to learn about Burmese culture, the Burmese language, and research on Burmese affairs from various countries.

We will be responsible for arranging accommodation for the Master and his wife at Peking University. In addition, as is customary, we will pay a courtesy fee.

If you are comfortable, please come after May 15. Our department has assigned U Bek, the head of the Myanmar Department, to take care of and assist you, so please feel free to let us know if you need any help.

May everything go smoothly and successfully.

Head of Department (Signature)

We are all very happy to hear from U Nyan that the Master and the Grand Master will be visiting Beijing at the invitation of the University of Beijing.

If you are sure of a date, please let us know. We look forward to welcoming you.

Be happy and peaceful.

Always remember

Night

Yes.

A short while later, on April 7, an official letter in English arrived from the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, inviting my wife and I to come together to give a lecture at Peking University. On May 1, we flew from Yangon to Kunming by China Airlines, and we were expected to stay in Kunming for 3-4 days and give a lecture at Peking University starting on May 15. The big tree that I had planted had already blossomed and borne fruit. I was waiting to see how the harvest would be arranged.

On Sunday, May 1st, my wife and I arrived in Yangon. We had been informed that the work that had begun in March for the People’s Republic of China would be completed in the first week of May. However, an unexpected setback occurred and the work was not completed until May 5th, which was expected. The 6th and 7th were Saturday and Sunday. Fortunately, we were able to complete the work by 5pm on Monday, the 8th.

Fortunately, that very evening, the Chinese Ambassador, Mr. Cherry Ruisherng, and the Ambassador invited us to a farewell dinner before leaving for China. If that had not happened, I don't know what excuse we would have had.

I wanted to go to Beijing without any worries. At around 5 pm, U Moe called me and informed me. He arrived at the hotel in a hurry. He filled out the application forms he had brought for the visa and took our passports. It took 6:30 pm to get these stamps. He brought back the passports with the stamps. Then he took my wife and me to the ambassador’s house in his car.

When I was living in England, I had an urgent need to travel to France and when I checked my passport, it was expired. The next day, I went to the passport office in London at 9am and explained it. I got a new passport before 4pm and was able to buy a plane ticket and leave on time. Now, our visa was issued by the Chinese embassy within two hours, so we were able to travel on time without any hassle. I called the relevant people three times.

The ambassador greeted the guest warmly and introduced him to the artist's wife. After a brief conversation, the most delicious Chinese food was the Chinese wine with a floral aroma that I had drunk at the Cultural Ambassador's luncheon in March. I also drank it at the luncheon when I was in China. When I was in China, I also had the opportunity to meet and greet people from the upper class.