During 16 – 20 December 2024, the Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, hosted a delegation from Xinhua News Agency, People’s Republic of China, led by Mr. Li Yin, Director-General of Xinhua News Agency’s Yunnan Bureau, as part of a long-standing Exchange Programme between the two sides.

The second part of the visit took place in Chiang Mai from 18 – 20 December 2024. The delegation’s key activities included paying a courtesy call on Mr. Wiraphong Rhitrot, Vice Governor of Chiang Mai Province, representing the Governor. During the call, both sides reaffirmed the importance of Chiang Mai to relations between Thailand and China, at the people-to-people level, through cultural proximity, tourism, and under the sister cities framework. They then discussed the role of media in fostering good understanding between the people of both countries. In Chiang Mai, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted a networking dinner for the delegation to exchange views and establish contacts with local media and related sectors, including the Provincial Public Relations Officer, the Director of NBT Chiang Mai, the Northern Area Manager of MCOT Public Company Limited, and executives of the Faculty of Mass Communication, Chiang Mai University. Mr. Chen Haiping, the Consul-General of China in Chiang Mal, also attended the dinner. The delegation also visited the Huai Hong Khrai Royal Development Study Centre in Doi Saket district, to learn about Royal Development Projects, and the sustainable development approaches that positively impact local communities.

The activities in Chaing Mai enabled the delegation to have a deeper appreciation and understanding of the relations between Thailand and China at all levels, especially the provincial and community levels, as well as the dynamism of the connectivity between the Southern part of China and the Northern part of Thailand. Overall, the visit has helped to enhance the exchanges and cooperation between the Ministry, and relevant organisations, with Xinhua News Agency.