CNI News

23 October 2025

All of us must cultivate the spirit of being Myanmar (“We are Myanmar”), said Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Chairman of the State Security and Peace Commission.

He made the remarks on October 21, 2025, during a meeting with students from the seventh batch of the five-year course at the University for the Development of the National Races of the Union, held at the Myanmar International Convention Center (MICC-1) in Naypyitaw.

“Our ethnic nationalities must nurture a Myanmar spirit — the spirit of unity that makes us say ‘We are Myanmar.’

With this national spirit of solidarity, we must work hand in hand for the peace, prosperity, and development of our nation.

Likewise, young students from all regions should be trained and encouraged to possess positive thinking, willingness to participate, cooperative spirit, unity, and helpfulness,” he stated.

He further said that safeguarding and defending the country’s independence and sovereignty is an inborn duty of all citizens of the Union. Therefore, all people of the nation must stand united with a strong Union spirit to protect and preserve the nation together.

Since Myanmar gained independence in 1948, the country has been unable to resolve fundamental issues such as ethnic equality, self-determination, autonomous administration, establishment of democracy, and the creation of a federal union — leading to the ongoing internal conflicts up to the present day.

As a result, ethnic-based perspectives have emerged, making it difficult to build a true sense of “We are Myanmar.”

According to Article 450 of the 2008 Constitution, the Myanmar language is prescribed as the official working language.

This provision implies that the “Myanmar language” and “Myanmar speech” essentially mean “Bamar language” and “Bamar speech.” Consequently, analysts in military and political circles have pointed out that non-Bamar ethnic groups might find it difficult to accept or identify with the notion of “We are Myanmar.”