Page 66 - ELITE PLUS MAGAZINE VOL10

The Chinese are deeply impressed by the Thai royal family for their care, support and interest in China. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn has beento China 38 timesand visited almost every provincehowever, one can see that China has four seasons a year, necessitating cul- tivation and harvest before the winter, while in Thailand the weather is warm year round and the land always fertile, giving Thais more luxury of time.The Chinese are deeply impressed by the Thai royal family for their care, support and interest in China, Ambassador Ning said. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn has been to China 38 times and visited almost every province, which is unprecedented by a foreign leader. After the earthquake in 2008, China received considerable help from the Thai people, especially from the princess, who donated 10 million yuan to renovate a damaged school. In 2011 she paid a visit to the school, which delighted the students and people of China. Moreover, the princess studied Chinese so attentively that she is able to read, speak and translate the languagefluently. Princess Chulabhorn, her younger sister, plays the Chinese guzheng and has participated in many performances and cultural concerts.Sports and group performances also play an important role in Thailand-China relations. The Thai and Chinese table tennis teams often compete against each other, and there have been popular athletics and acrobatics exchanges since the early 1970s. The Chinese New Year is celebrated throughout Thailand, and next year 10 Chinese dance troupes will come to perform, including three national troupes.“It is the first time in Chinese history that we have sent out so many troupes to do shows abroad,” Ambassador Ning said.Former ambassador Zhang Jiuhuan, also speaking at the forum, agreed that sports, acrobats and cultural performances are key to64 Elite+