Both Myanmar and Chinese officials are starting to feel the success of China's technical support for the 27th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, which will kick off on Dec. 11 in Myanmar.

Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, Wang Shengwen, director general of Department of Aid to Foreign Countries of Chinese Ministry of Commerce, said technical cooperation between China and Myanmar for the 27th South East Asia Games began to take shape.

China signed an cooperation agreement with Myanmar in September last year, agreeing to provide the latter athletes training, a game management system, training and competition equipment, and help with the opening and closing ceremonies.

Stake holders on both sides expressed their satisfaction after watching the two-hour rehearsal of the opening ceremony at Nay Pyi Taw's Wunna Theikdi Stadium on Nov. 28 during a survey tour of a Chinese delegation.

U Thaung Htaik, Myanmar Deputy Minister for Sport, said this SEA Games will be exceptionally grand.

"I solemnly say the Myanmar SEA Games will be surely great, I can measure it through my experience," he said.

He added that by looking at the grand-scale rehearsal of opening ceremony, it came to assure that the opening and closing ceremonies of the SEA Games will be incomparable.

"I have worked in the Ministry of Sports for 17 years, which means I have watched four Olympics Games, six Asian Games and nine SEA Games. From this experience I know the opening of this SEA Games will be splendid, amazing," he said.

U Aye Myint Kyu, Union Minister for Culture, joined U Thaung Htike in his admiration in advance of all things set up, but more from a cultural angle.

"With China Arts and Entertainment Group (CAEG), we don't need to feel inferior regarding the quality of the ceremonies. We will have nothing serious but maybe a slight deviation regarding dance performance. It is the token of friendly tie between neighbors."

The assurance and satisfaction struck not only the Myanmar officials but also the Chinese side, consisting of Wang Shengwen, Li Liyan, assistant director general of External Liaison Bureau of Ministry of Culture and Jiang Xinghua, deputy director general of Human Resources Development Center of General Administration of Sport of China, who made the survey tour to the preparations and rehearsal.

"I saw the rehearsal and I believe the SEA Games will become an extremely grand tournament. China has sent about 700 experts that include engineers, administrators and coaches as a part of the project. I am touched by the warm feelings and attachment between Myanmar and Chinese experts created along the cooperation project progressing through months. It will be the foundation in our brilliant future cooperation between two countries," Wang Shengwen said.

Myanmar athletes are also promising, ready to wear the trophies in their home soil, he added.

"I have heard from the Chinese coaches that Myanmar athletes are tough and hard-working, so I believe Myanmar athletes will achieve successes in the event."

The Chinese side sent 28 coaches to work in Myanmar for a year and invited 176 Myanmar athletes from 11 federations for three- month training in China.

In addition, they developed a game management system software and leased game management system hardware and equipment to Myanmar. They also assisted Myanmar in opening and closing the tournament and provided the latter with training and competition equipment.