Page 25 - ELITE PLUS MAGAZINE VOL13

China-Thailand Relations, 40 Years OnThe 1975 détente paved the way for the current glowing relationship between the countriesTourism in Thailand also benefits greatly from the Chinese, with 4.7 million visitors in 2014 risingto 7.9 million in 2015; 10,000 flights were added to the schedule between the two countries in just one yearI n the early 15th century, Zheng He, the Ming Dynasty maritime explorer, visited the Kingdom of Siam several times. Zheng’s armadas were followed by generations of Chinese migrants who settled in Thailand permanently. The Siamese learned how to produce exquisite chinaware during the Sukhothai era, and Chinese epics, culture and history became widely known. The first group of exchange students from Thailand was sent to China and the first Chinese-Thai dictionary was launched 600 years ago. Today there are over 500 cultural exchange programmes each year amongmany bilateral development plans.As HE Ning Fukui, China’s ambassador to Thailand, said: “There are notonly diplomatic ties but also blood ties between China and Thailand. We need each other.”The ambassador was speaking at the forum “China-Thailand Ties: Behind friendship and relations”, hosted by Bangkok Bank.Tourism in Thailand also benefits greatly from the Chinese, with 4.7 million visitors in 2014 rising to 7.9 million in 2015; 10,000 flights were added to the schedule between the two countries in just one year. Ambassador Ning suggested the rapid growth was due to geographic proximity and publicity portraying the richness of Thai culture, religion, food, landscape and way of life, such as a Chiang Mai-set movie called Lost in Thailand, online articles and word-of-mouth advertising among friends and relatives about Thailand.“We aim for 10 million tourists a year,” said Ambassador Ning, “so both parties must work harder to raise the quality of services.”Support has also been shown whenever the other country is going through a difficult time. Following the Sichuan earthquake in 2008, Thais donated money and necessities to the victims, and Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn herself donated 11 million yuan for the reconstruction of a school. Similarly, China sent experts and donations to help Thailand following the tsunami in 2004 and flooding in 2011. Even though an economic slowdown and agricultural slump have recently permeated around the world, China has promised to buy a million tonnes of rice from Thailand to help ease problems in the country.Ambassador Ning said: “A friend in need is a friend indeed. No matter how bad the world situation is, we will always help each other to overcome it.”Elite+ 23