China Thailand Photo: VCG
Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of the Kingdom of Thailand is expected to embark on a visit to China on Monday, which will run through April 13 at the invitation of the Chinese government, according to a Chinese foreign ministry announcement.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of China-Thailand diplomatic relations. Chinese experts anticipate that Princess Sirindhorn's visit will not only boost cultural exchanges between China and Thailand but also play an important bridging role in enhancing mutual understanding. The stability of the ties will also help the two countries and the whole region navigate global turbulence, especially in the face of rising unilateralism.
Prior to her departure, the Chinese Embassy in Thailand invited Princess Sirindhorn over on Saturday and hosted a grand celebration marking her 70th birthday. Ambassador Han Zhiqiang expressed great appreciation to Princess Sirindhorn for her dedication and significant contributions to the development of China-Thailand relations and cooperation in cultural, educational, and technological fields, and said China values the traditional friendship with the Thai royal family.
Han expressed the hope that the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries would serve as an opportunity to further strengthen the special bond of "Chinese and Thais being of one family" and advance the building of a China-Thailand community with a shared future.
As a member of the Thai royal family, Princess Sirindhorn has played a significant role in fostering the development of China-Thailand relations over the years, Ge Hongliang, vice dean of the ASEAN College at Guangxi Minzu University, told the Global Times on Monday. Noting that Princess Sirindhorn has always deeply appreciated Chinese culture and has actively promoted cultural exchanges between the two nations, Ge said she has been instrumental in enhancing China-Thailand cultural interactions and mutual understanding.
The primary purpose of Princess Sirindhorn's visit is to commemorate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties. As a significant part of this year's celebrations, the visit aims to advance the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and strengthen the building of a China-Thailand community with a shared future, said Xu Liping, director of the Center for Southeast Asian Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
The visit will not only boost cultural exchanges between China and Thailand but also play an important bridging role in enhancing mutual understanding, Xu noted.
In an article published in the People's Daily on Monday, the Chinese ambassador to Thailand said cultural ties have created a special bond of kinship between the two sides. Being one of the most vibrant places for celebrating the Chinese New Year overseas, it has become a tradition for Princess Sirindhorn to preside over the 'Happy Chinese New Year' celebrations in Chinatown. "China-Thailand relations serve as a microcosm of China's broader diplomacy with neighboring countries, and embody Chinese President Xi Jinping's diplomatic philosophy of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness in neighborhood diplomacy. In today's turbulent world, as unilateralism and 'the law of the jungle' are on the rise, China has been strengthening friendship and deepening cooperation with the vast majority of its neighboring countries, ushering in a new era of building a community with a shared future, demonstrating that General Secretary Xi Jinping's important expositions and practices regarding neighbor diplomacy work possess significant contemporary value and even greater global significance," Han noted.
Princess Sirindhorn's trip follows Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra's visit to Beijing in February, during which Chinese President Xi Jinping met with her and called upon the two sides to consolidate strategic mutual trust, firmly support each other, and respond to uncertainties in the external environment with the stability and certainty of China-Thailand relations in the face of profound changes unseen in a century, according to the Xinhua News Agency.
China and Thailand are often referred to as "as close as one family," a bond that remains unshaken despite changes in the international landscape. This reflects the high level of political trust and deep-rooted friendship between the two nations, and such stability brings positive energy to regional as well as global peace, especially in the face of growing global uncertainties, Xu noted, adding that this relationship also highlights the importance of mutual respect and equality in international relations.
Princess Sirindhorn was last in China in April last year, when she met with Chinese State Councilor Shen Yiqin and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Xinhua reported.
Princess Sirindhorn is a good and old friend to the Chinese people. She has been awarded the Medal of Friendship and visited China more than 50 times, facilitating deeper mutual understanding between the two peoples, according to Xinhua.
