State President U Min Aung Hlaing is a member of the USDP, says party spokesperson U Hla Thein

State President U Min Aung Hlaing is a member of the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), said party spokesperson U Hla Thein. U Hla Thein, the party spokesperson, made the statement in response to a reporter's question during a press conference held after the fourth party congress at the USDP headquarters in Nay Pyi Taw on September 20, asking whether the current State President U Min Aung Hlaing is a member of the USDP, in relation to the current status of former party leaders. "President U Min Aung Hlaing is also a member of our party. As for President U Thein Sein, he has been a patron among our advisors since before. However, later, during the time when U Than Htay was chairman in 2015 and 2016, a new chairman was able to survive on his own. He could continue to run this big party. Therefore, we no longer needed to be there, and from then on, he has been an advisor from the side. Currently, due to age and health, some individuals are included in our invitations. However, there are only those who have requested exemption and could not attend. This is due to traveling abroad or health conditions. However, they are forever our advisors," he said. U Hla Thein, the party spokesperson, stated that the attendance of individuals such as U Soe Thein and U Kyaw San at the congress indicated that these individuals had been central advisors since before, and that once party members, they are forever USDP members. Party spokesperson U Hla Thein said, "Those who attended today are not strangers to us. They are my teachers and have always been appointed as advisors in cooperation with us. Therefore, when the CEC list was released today, these advisors, and even U Hla Tun, who served as chairman, has experience working in the Ministry of Finance and Revenue for about a decade and has been involved since the formation of the association. Therefore, he is a person with extensive experience. If they are given such positions, who will be appointed as chairman, and who will be given what position, our party also likes this," he said. Party spokesperson U Hla Thein stated that the party always welcomes individuals with tradition, experience, and greater qualifications, and that these individuals are attending because they continue to serve as advisors. Party spokesperson U Hla Thein said, "Therefore, those who have extensive party experience, experience in major government departments, work experience, for example, those who have served as ministers or above, or directors-general or above, and those who have served as CECs in the party for 10 years or more, 15 years or more, such experienced and mature individuals are reappointed as central advisors by us." Party spokesperson U Hla Thein also stated that when reappointing central advisors, if the individual expresses their willingness and can still contribute to the party, they are reappointed as central advisors, and meetings are held every four months to obtain their advice regarding the work to be undertaken.