Writing A New Chapter on 12-year Efforts
—Khon Kaen University Council Visits Southwest University of China

On March 8th, “The Symposium on the 12th Anniversary of Southwest University-Khon Kaen University Collaboration” was held at the Red East Meeting Hall at Southwest University of China. Norongchai, former Minister of Energy of Thailand led 49 delegates of Khon Kaen University Council to attend the meeting.

In his welcoming speech, Shu Lichun, President of the Southwest University Council, reviewed the cooperation between the two universities and the history of the Confucius Institute at Khon Kaen University, briefly introduced the fruits of cooperation and spoke highly of the achievements made by the Confucius Institute.

Yu Yunfeng, Deputy Chief Executive of the Confucius Institute Headquarters and Deputy Director-General of Hanban, introduced the development status of Confucius Institutes around the world and their role in promoting cross-cultural exchanges and building a community with a shared future for mankind. He said that China and Thailand are good neighbors and friends. In the recent years, the two countries have made a substantial progress in political security, economic and trade cooperation, people-to-people and cultural exchanges. The Confucius Institute has become a highlight in the relations between the two countries. He also brought forward three expectations for the Confucius Institute: first, to improve quality, increase efficiency and enhance the qualitative development; second, to give full play to the leading role of the Model Confucius Institute; third, to focus on the friendship between the two countries and establish multiple platforms for exchanges.

Yu Yunfeng emphasized that the “Belt and Road” initiative is in high alignment with the Eastern Economic Corridor and 4.0 Development strategies of the Thai government. There has been wide recognition for the roles played by the Confucius Institute at Khon Kaen University in promoting people-to-people and cultural exchanges and people-to-people bond. He hoped that the Confucius Institute at Khon Kaen University would build on what it has achieved in the past 12 years to exert a greater role in strengthening the two countries’ friendly relations and practical cooperation in all areas, in a bid to make new contributions to developing comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries.

Yu Yunfeng delivering a speech

In their respective speeches, both Norongchai and Kittichai, President of Khon Kaen University, fully recognized the cooperation between the two universities and the achievements of the Confucius Institute. They hoped that the two universities could cooperate in a deeper and wider way, especially in textile, silk, art, agriculture, biology, veterinary, electronics, food and other research fields.

In the free talk session, representatives present looked back on the cooperation fruits in every respect and extended hope towards the further cooperation in scientific research, academic exchanges and student exchange programs.

From left to right: Kittichai, Somsak, Governor of Khon Kaen, Norongchai, Shu Lichun, Yu Yunfeng and Zhang Weiguo, President of Southwest University

After the symposium, guests attended the opening ceremony of “The Achievement Exhibition on the 12th Anniversary of Southwest University-Khon Kaen University Collaboration”. A melodious Chinese traditional instruments performance “Silk Road” played by Southwest University Chinese Orchestra kicked off wonderful activities. Norongchai and Shu Lichun made respective remarks. After a traditional melody of the Northeast Thailand “Beautiful like Paradise, Pretty like Khon Kaen” played by the student orchestra of Khon Kaen University, guests watched the exhibition with great interest, learned the development history and the status of the Confucius Institute at Khon Kaen University, and gave heartfelt congratulations on the achievements in cooperation between the two universities and the development of the Confucius Institute.

Yu Yunfeng visiting the achievement exhibition on the 12th anniversary of Southwest University-Khon Kaen University collaboration

Khon Kaen University Council delegation

Southwest University and Khon Kaen University signed a cooperation agreement in 2006. They have been cooperating closely based on the Confucius Institute for the past 12 years. The development of the Confucius Institute at Khon Kaen University also boosted the exchanges and cooperation between the two universities. This visit of all the members of Khon Kaen University Council to Southwest University is very rare indeed in the exchanging history between the two universities and even the high-level people-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and Thailand. The establishment and development of relationship between the two universities have been attached great importance to and supported by the two governments, all sectors of society and leaders of the two universities, becoming a model of exchanges between universities and friendly exchanges between the two peoples.

Story by Xiao Yu and Hu Lin