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I. What was the background and consideration for China to open a Consulate General in Chiang Mai?
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Thailand in July 1975, the relationship has developed rapidly, high-level exchanges have been frequent, and economic cooperation has become increasingly close. In the 1980s, both countries worked hand in hand to jointly safeguard regional peace and security and further enhanced strategic mutual trust. In order to meet the practical needs of expanding and deepening bilateral cooperation, China and Thailand agreed to open consulates for each other. In February 1989, Thailand set up a Consulate General in Guangzhou. China has also decided to set up a Consulate General in Chiang Mai. After preparations, the Consulate General opened on April 10, 1991. This is the first Consulate General set up by China in Thailand and the first Consulate General set up by China in Southeast Asia after the reform and opening up. It shows the high level of development of China-Thailand relations.
As for why Chiang Mai was chosen, firstly, Northern Thailand is close to China geographically. Thai culture and Chinese culture are interlinked. The two countries have had close exchanges in history. There are many overseas Chinese in Northern Thailand, and the prospects for cooperation in various fields are bright. Secondly, Chiang Mai is the most developed and important city in Thailand besides Bangkok, and also the economic and cultural center in Northern Thailand. Therefore, it is naturally the first choice for China to open a Consulate General.
Over the past 30 years, China-Thailand relations have improved day by day, and the international and regional situation has changed rapidly. With the rapid development of bilateral relations, the cooperation between China and Northern Thailand has achieved fruitful results, and the Consulate General has forged deep friendship with all walks of life in the region. 2021 is a year of historic significance. China will usher in the centenary celebration of the Communist Party of China, implement the fourteenth five-year plan, and embark on a new journey of building a socialist modern country in an all-round way. This year, Chiang Mai will also celebrate the 725th anniversary of the founding of the city. We look forward to celebrating the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Consulate General to share the achievement and joy with the people of Chiang Mai. To this end, we specially developed the logo for the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Consulate General.
II. What is the meaning of the logo of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Consulate General?
The logo was designed by a Chinese designer who cares about the friendship between China and Thailand and Chiang Mai. The main picture is a simple and powerful number "30". "3" is like a soaring dragon, and "0" is Lanna pattern with the characteristics of Northern Thai culture, and is also like a Thai-style building in the rising sun. The logo means that China and Thailand coexist harmoniously and complement each other. The cooperation between China and Northern Thailand is booming and has a bright future.
III. What celebrations will the Consulate General hold?
Considering the need for prevention and control of COVID-19, we decided not to focus our attention on organizing large-scale events. Instead, we focused on taking this opportunity to review the development of bilateral exchanges and cooperation in various fields over the past 30 years and look forward to the prospect of future cooperation. We are collecting image materials related to the Consulate General and preparing to hold a photo exhibition this year to show the process of the increasingly close and deepening relationship between China and Northern Thailand. We also plan to invite relevant experts and scholars to participate in the seminar online and offline, discussing the topics of promoting friendly exchanges between China and Northern Thailand, and promoting the implementation and development of the Belt and Road initiative and Lancang-Mekong cooperation project in Northern Thailand. We are also ready to hold the opening day of the Consulate General, invite local people and young students to enter the Consulate General, and deepen mutual understanding and friendship.
IV. How to evaluate the development of China-Thailand relations and the progress of cooperation between China and Northern Thailand? What role does the Consulate General play?
Last year, China and Thailand jointly celebrated the 45th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. The two countries have a history of friendly exchanges for thousand years. The kinship between the two countries is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. The two sides are mutually reliable friends and cooperative partners, which can be regarded as a model of relations between countries with different social systems.
The friendly exchanges between China and Northern Thailand are an indispensable part of China-Thailand relations and a microcosm of the sound development of China-Thailand cooperation. Over the past 30 years, the Chinese Consulate General in Chiang Mai has actively contacted all walks of life in the Cosular District, introduced China to Northern Thailand, and introduced Northern Thailand to China. In the friendly exchanges and cooperation between China and Northern Thailand, it has played a role of bridge, not only as a sensor, but also as a propeller. The Consulate General participated in the reception of a number of Chinese leaders visiting Northern Thailand, and facilitated various sectors in Northern Thailand to organize delegations to visit China. We also actively coordinate the establishment of friendly relations between local governments and cities in Northern Thailand and Chinese provinces and cities, and constantly expand the cooperation and exchanges between local and various institutions. Thirty years ago, not many Chinese knew about Chiang Mai. Today, Chiang Mai and Northern Thailand are well-known in China. In the two or three years before 2020, more than 2 million Chinese tourists visit Northern Thailand each year, accounting for a quarter of Chinese tourists to Thailand. Meanwhile, there are more and more Chinese people and Chinese students coming to Northern Thailand and Chiang Mai. Cultural cooperation between the two sides is in the ascendant. The level of economic, trade and agricultural cooperation between the two sides is increasing, and cooperation has been carried out in the field of alternative planting. Longan, mango, tea and other agricultural products from Northern Thailand are very popular in China. In the fields of culture and education, giant panda joint scientific research, clean energy development, comprehensive administration of mountain fires and smog, and joint fight against transnational crime, the cooperation between the two sides is deepening, bringing real benefits to the general public. Northern Thailand has beautiful mountains and rivers, splendid and long-standing cultural heritage, and unique geographical advantages. It is bound to glow with greater brilliance in China-Thailand relations and the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation. The Chinese Consulate General in Chiang Mai is willing to continue to make unremitting efforts to promote cooperation between China and Northern Thailand.
V. On the occasion of celebrating the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Consulate General, what do you want to say to the people in the Consular District ?
Confucius said that "At thirty, I stood firm." means that when a person reaches 30, he should determine his life goal and development direction, and undertake his due responsibilities independently. Looking back on the road since the establishment of the Consulate General, after 30 years of trials and hardships, what we do not forget is our original aspiration; after 30 years of pursuing dreams, what remains unchanged is friendship. The Chinese Consulate General in Chiang Mai, which is now in its thirties. It's just the right place at the right time, and in harmony with our neighbors. The future will be bright. At present, the steady development of China-Thailand relations have provided a solid foundation for deepening cooperation between China and Northern Thailand. This is the "right time". The Belt and Road Initiative and the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation have been taking a deep and practical step, creating a rare opportunity for the northern region to play a dominant role. This is the "right place". The fruitful results of the friendly cooperation between China and Thailand have benefited the people of the two countries and won the strong support from all walks of life of the two countries. This is "in harmony with our neighbors". I believe that with these favorable conditions, the cooperation between China and Northern Thailand will certainly be able to build on the existing foundation and continue to write a brilliant chapter.
Finally, we would like to express our heartfelt thanks to our friends from all walks of life in the Consular District for their great support and assistance in the past 30 years. We are willing to continue to work hand in hand with you, continuously enhance friendly exchanges, solidly promote mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Northern Thailand in various fields, and make due contributions to the deepening of China-Thailand comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.
As the Songkran Festival is coming, I wish all friends good luck and success in the Thai New Year! I wish China and Thailand peace, prosperity and development! I wish the friendship between China and Thailand has flourished like a tree growing tall and strong.