On 9 October 2015 (at 18.00-20.30 hours), H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, while on an official visit to the People’s Republic of China on 8-10 October 2015, attended, as the guest of honour on the Thai side, the Dinner in Celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the Establishment Between Thailand and China, jointly organized by the Royal Thai Embassy in Beijing and the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) at Summit Ballroom, China World Summit Wing, Beijing.  Mrs. Yan Junqi, Vice Chairwoman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China, was the guest of honour on the Chinese side.  Over 300 guests attended this event, including the Ambassador of Thailand to China, Consuls-General of Thailand in China, officials of Team Thailand in Beijing, the diplomatic corps in Beijing, including Ambassadors of ASEAN member countries and Friends of Thailand, former Chinese Ambassadors to Thailand, representatives of the Chinese Foreign Ministry and civil service agencies, as well as representatives of Thai and Chinese private sectors, Chinese media and Thai students.

 

            Prior to the sit-down dinner, a reception was held in the foyer and the guests were treated to musical performances by performers from Bunditpatanasilpa Institute, featuring both Thai and Chinese instruments including Thai drums, saw and Jakhe and the Chinese zither (guzheng), as well as a Thai cooking demonstration of well-known Thai sweets such as Foi Thong, Thong Yip and Louk Choup.  The Minister of Foreign Affairs attended the reception and met with guests in an informal atmosphere. 

 

            At 18.40-18.55 hours, the Minister of Foreign Affairs paid a courtesy call on Mrs. Yan Junqi, in the reception room. After the meeting, both leaders attended the photo exhibition, held in the foyer, commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Thailand and China.  The exhibition featured photos of significant historical moments in Thailand-China diplomatic relations, including activities of both the Thai Royal Family and leaders in promoting Thai-Chinese relations. Also on display were the 40th Anniversary commemorative stamps, envelope and coin produced by Thailand Post and the Chinese Foreign Ministry, respectively.

 

            During the opening ceremony, Mr. Shi Guangsheng, President of Chinese-Thai Friendship Association, Mr. Korn Dabbaransi, President of the Thai-Chinese Friendship Association, as the counterpart of the CPAFFC, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs each gave a speech, respectively.  Then, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Mrs. Yan Junqi signed a duplicate of the commemorative envelope, exchanged gifts and took a group photo with other honoured guests.

 

            During dinner, guests were treated to Thai and Chinese cultural performances by performers from the Bunditpatanasilpa Institute and the Beijing Hebei Bangzi Local Opera Troupes as well as a vocal performance by Ms. Vanatsaya Visekul, a Thai student, who gained notoriety in China as a competitor in the hit television “The Voice of China” season four.

     

            The year 2015 marks the 40th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Thailand and China and thus is opportunity to strengthen the traditional friendship and advance bilateral relations and comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.  In addition, both countries will continue to exchange high-level visits and expand cooperation in all areas, including political, commerce and trade, investment tourism, socio-cultural and people-to-people exchanges, as well as cooperation in multilateral frameworks.