In remarks during the occasion, the Ambassador Thit Linn Ohn of the Union of Myanmar stressed that his country was pleased to establish diplomatic relations with Liberia, Africa’s oldest independent Republic. He believes that the event marks the beginning of building closer ties between the two countries especially in the areas of trade, agriculture and people to people exchanges.

Most of these aid projects were carried out through a competitive bidding system open to eligible enterprises and there was little space for Chinese NGOs to participate. "Most of these foreign aid projects are large engineering projects, and the design of the bidding system leaves no space for NGOs to take part," Ji Lin, managing secretary at Global Environmental Institute, told the Global Times.  

Mark McDowell was a career diplomat for 20 years with the Canadian Foreign Service, where he made a name for himself as a pioneer in e-diplomacy. Defying the strictures of government bureaucracy, he pushed use of the internet and social media to engage with foreign publics and bring about cultural exchange. Mark brought his web-savvy and unconventional approach to public diplomacy to Myanmar

Cambodia and Myanmar have agreed to strengthen ties by focusing on both nations’ tourism and education sectors, but stopped short of discussing the latter’s widespread abuse and persecution of the Rohingya minority. [...] The two heads of state also mooted the idea of establishing exchange programs and scholarships but stopped short of solidifying plans.

Myanmar's hope of becoming a travel hub in Asia would be far from a reality if the nation fails to rebrand itself as a destination for international visitors, according to a panel discussion held on Friday. Tint Thwin, director-general of the Directorate of Hotels and Tourism, said now is time to focus on rebranding so that foreigners choose Myanmar as a place for leisure.

On 7 October, President Obama signed an executive order lifting nearly all of the remaining economic sanctions on Myanmar’s government [...]  Despite China’s enduring influence over its neighbour, the United States enjoys several unrecognised advantages over the Asian giant, flowing from its substantial soft power, an asset China has failed to cultivate.