Chinese movies, TV series appeal to Myanmar youth

The "Chinese Bridge" language proficiency competition is held in Yangon, Myanmar, on May 28, 2016. (Xinhua)

By Tang Danlu, Liu Yizhan, Han Xinying and Tian Shaohui

YANGON, Nov. 30 (Xinhuanet) -- The Chinese TV series "Journey to the West" is no longer the only option for young people in Myanmar.

Even if the soundtrack and subtitles are in Chinese, “Operation Mekong”, a Chinese blockbuster, becomes sensational in Myanmar, attracting the young audience with exciting plots and magnificent action scenes.

A Myanmar student whose Chinese name is Xu Qihong said nowadays her friends are fascinated with heated Chinese TV series, like “The Mystic Nine”, “Noble Aspirations” and “Chinese Paladin”.

“A Smile is Beautiful” is her favorite and she has watched both movie and TV play editions of that story, said Xu, who is learning Chinese at a local Confucius School.

In recent years, a Chinese learning fever has rolled out in Myanmar. Young people began to learn Chinese and had their Chinese names. Some temples started to offer courses of Chinese learning.

“I love Chinese language and Chinese culture”, said Li Xuetao, a law-major college student, who has learned the language for three years.

Li hoped that she could visit China to learn the language and culture, and teach Myanmar youth after getting back home.

A migrant of third generation, Liu Anjing, is fond of practicing Chinese calligraphy, who started learning Chinese since eleven years old.

Besides, more and more Myanmar youth express their wishes to visit places of interest in China, like the Great Wall and the Temple of Divine Light.

The young people in Myanmar are really looking forward to learn more about China’s culture in order to better understand the country.