At the invitation of the Chinese government, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of the Kingdom of Thailand is paying a visit to China from April 4 to 11. On April 9, Princess Sirindhorn and her delegation visited Beijing Normal University (BNU). Yu Jihong, President of Beijing Normal University, met with the Princess and her delegation. Han Canchai, the Thai Ambassador to China, accompanied the royal delegation. Wu Jun, Counselor of the Department of Asian Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, attended relevant activities. Chen Xing, Vice President of BNU, and Zhou Zuoyu, Vice Chairperson of the University Council and Director of the UNESCO International Research and Training Centre for Rural Education (INRULED), also participated in the event.
Yu Jihong extended a warm welcome to Princess Sirindhorn on her return visit and reviewed the progress of cooperation between BNU and Thailand in areas such as education for sustainable development, youth exchange, and talent cultivation. She pointed out that both sides have continuously deepened cooperation in capacity building, faculty and student exchanges, and STEM education, gradually forming a multi-level cooperation network. She expressed that the Princess’s visit would further promote educational exchanges between the two sides and inject new momentum into China-Thailand educational cooperation.
During the visit, Princess Sirindhorn and her delegation visited the BNU Online Educational Resources Center to learn about the university’s work in educational digitalization and technology empowerment. They also viewed an exhibition titled “China-Thailand Youth Exchange and Cooperation: Youth Action for Rural Sustainable Development” at Jingshi Hall, learning about the practical achievements of Chinese and Thai youth in fields such as climate change, sustainable agriculture, food security, community development, and global competence. Princess Sirindhorn expressed her appreciation for BNU’s exploration and practice in the field of technology-empowered education and affirmed the exchanges carried out by Chinese and Thai youth in promoting sustainable rural development.
For a long time, Beijing Normal University has actively promoted educational exchanges and cooperation with Thailand, carrying out numerous activities in rural sustainable development, youth exchange, and talent cultivation. BNU will take Princess Sirindhorn’s visit as an opportunity to further deepen cooperation in education, youth, and sustainable development. Together, both sides aim to cultivate more young talents with a global perspective and a sense of social responsibility, contributing to the promotion of China-Thailand friendship and common development.
