He was imprisoned when the British Crown Prince of Wales (who later became King Edward VIII) visited Burma in 1921.

He was born in Moulmein (now Mawlamyaing), the son of rich teak merchant U Thar Nyin.

He also helped fund the GCBA, acting as its chairman for a number of years, to such an extent that he had become a debt fugitive by 1932.

[1] In 1937, as president of the Burmese House, Chit Hlaing attended the ceremony of King George VI's coronation in England.

He was elected president of the law council and consultant of the Burmese Chancellor during World War II.