The United Wa State Army, which leads the Northern Alliance Burma, the Pa-O National Organization/Pa-O National Liberation Army (PNO/PNLA), the Karen National Union (KNU), the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP), the Lahu Democratic Union (LDU), the New Mon State Party (NMSP), the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA), and the All Burma Students’ Democratic Front (ABSDF) and leaders from the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC) attended the ceremony.

Kyaukme resident Sai Oo, who attended the ceremony, said representatives from the United Nations and 20 representatives from foreign embassies in Myanmar also attended the ceremony.

“I heard that nearly 3,000 people attended the ceremony including the soldiers from the military parade. Traditional dance troupes from respective townships and popular singers also came to perform. This year’s ceremony was quite teeming with the crowd,” he said.

President U Htin Kyaw and the Shan State Chief Minister Dr Lin Htut sent formal messages for the 71st Shan State National Day ceremony. The Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD)’s chair Khun Htun Oo also sent a formal message for the Shan State National Day.

The 71st Shan State National Day ceremonies were also held in Muse, Namhkam, Lashio, and Hseni in the northern Shan State, Taunggyi, Langhko, and Loilen in the southern Shan State, and Keng Tung and Monghsat in the eastern Shan State.

On February 11, 1947, the Shan State Council’s chair Sao Khun Pan Sing set down three resolutions on the Shan State: to designate February 7 as the Shan State National Day, to designate the yellow, green, and red flag with a white circle as the Shan State national flag, and to designate ‘Khay Tai Khay Yarzar’ as the Shan national anthem.