event_note History Timeline
December 1954
U Nu’s visit to China in 1954
room China
people U Nu Mao Zedong
Despite the many ups and downs of Sino-Myanmar relations in modern times (including Beijing-backed the communist invasion of 1967), all Myanmar leaders since independence have made several visits to the country's giant eastern neighbour.
This photograph shows U Nu with Mao Zedong during U Nu's first trip to China in December 1954. The Prime Minister's party included U Thant, Colonel Aung Kyi, U Myint Thein, and U Win Pe. Chairman Mao was likely surprised by U Nu's frankness on many issues ("we have much fear of big powers!") but the two seem pleased with each other in this photograph.