On June 13, Chengdu University hosted the celebration of the 50th anniversary of China-Thailand diplomatic relations and the opening ceremony of its 9th International Week under the theme "Five Decades of Partnership, Sailing Toward a New Journey" at the Student Activity Center. The event was imbued with a warm atmosphere of "China and Thailand as One Family." Distinguished attendees included officials from Thailand's Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Chengdu, the Education Department of Sichuan Province, the Foreign Affairs Office of Sichuan Province, the Foreign Affairs Office of Chengdu Municipal People's Government, and the Chengdu Municipal Education Bureau, alongside 43 Thai experts and over 300 Chinese and Thai faculty and students. Together, they witnessed a new chapter in the Sino-Thai friendship. The celebration kicked off with vibrant performances of traditional Chinese and Thai dances.
In his address, Liu Qiang, Party Secretary of Chengdu University, extended heartfelt gratitude to the guests for their presence and reflected on Chengdu University's nearly two-decade partnership with Thai institutions. "Thai universities have always been among our closest collaborators in our internationalization strategy," he noted, "and our partnership has yielded remarkable achievements in academic development, joint research, and faculty-student exchanges."
Mr. Suphachai Jaismut, Vice Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation of Thailand, graced the event with his presence and delivered a speech. Quoting Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn 's reference to the Tang verse, "Distance cannot separate true friends, who remain close even when thousands of miles apart," Mr. Suphachai Jaismut highly commended Chengdu University's contributions to fostering cultural and academic exchanges between China and Thailand.
Mr. Hu Weifeng, First-Class Inspector of the Education Department of Sichuan Province, emphasized that educational collaboration remains a cornerstone of China-Thailand relations. Sichuan would continue to deepen efforts in language and cultural education, joint research on specialized disciplines, and international talent cultivation.
Ms. Liu Min, Deputy Director of the Foreign Affairs Office of Sichuan Province, highlighted Sichuan's role as a key hub under the Belt and Road Initiative. She pledged to expand platforms for faculty and student exchanges and leverage educational ties to strengthen partnerships in industries, technology, and cultural tourism.
The celebration also featured a ceremony for the authorization by the Sirindhorn Thai Language Institute, Chulalongkorn University, for the establishment of a CU-TFL (Chulalongkorn University Thai Proficiency Test of Thai as a Foreign Language) test center in Chengdu University, the signing of university-level and college-level cooperation agreements, and the launch of a special scholarship program commemorating the 50th anniversary of China-Thailand diplomatic relations. These three cooperation projects provide broader opportunities for Thai language learning, joint training, and supporting outstanding students to participate in bilateral youth exchange programs.
Following the ceremony, Mr. Suphachai Jaismut and his delegation toured the "Origins, Achievements, Future" exhibition—a photographic retrospective of Chengdu University's collaboration with Thailand—and visited the International Department at the College of Chinese & ASEAN Arts and the Traditional Crafts Institute. He praised the university's tangible achievements in its partnerships with Thai institutions and pledged proactive support for establishing a China-Thailand Joint Laboratory on Smart Culture and Digital Innovation under the Belt and Road Initiative—a collaboration between Chengdu University and Thai institutions to advance synergies in digital economy and cultural tourism.
Editor: Min Xiuling Executive Editor: Lyu Jia
