Peking University, Beijing, Apr. 7th, 2010: Princess of Thailand, Her Royal Highness Maha Chakri Sirindhorn visited Peking University on the morning of Apr. 4th, 2010. Princess Sirindhorn went to the Packard apartment near the Wei Ming Lake that Her Royal Highness once lived in and had an informal discussion with PKU professors and students. Lin Jianhua, PKU Executive Vice President, Cheng Zhaoxiang, Dean of School of Foreign Languages, Xia Weihong, Executive Vice Minister of Office of International Relations, Bo Wenze, Deputy Director of PKU Sirindhorn Technology and Culture Exchange Center, Chen Wei, Deputy Secretary-General of Environmental Education Base for Chinese University Students, the then teachers of Her Royal Highness and Thai students on campus all gave a warm welcome to Her Royal Highness. Thailand Ambassador to China came along with Princess Sirindhorn.
In the morning discussion, Princess Sirindhorn firstly listened to the 2009 annual report from the PKU Sirindhorn Technology and Culture Exchange Center. The report reviewed progress made in languages and cultural studies, tests of Thai language, academic conferences in biotechnology and nanotechnology between China and Thailand, and students and staff training exchange. The report also included an outlook for future co-operation and exchange activities in 2010. Afterwards, Chen Wei from Environmental Education Base for Chinese University Students introduced recent development of sustainable campus projects in PKU. Pictures showing PKU biological diversity and construction of low-carbon campus were praised unanimously.
In the end of the discussion, Lin Jianhua, PKU Executive Vice President, expressed special thanks to Her Royal Highness for the care and support of education co-operation and communication between Thailand and China. Moreover, he presented a new book named "Foundations of Aesthetics" written by PKU professor and famous esthetician Ye Lang. Princess Sirindhorn also received a seal commissioned by the late Prof. Ji Xianlin and made by his student Wang Yugong. In return, Princess Sirindhorn gave a photography portfolio of Her Royal Highness to PKU.
After the meeting, Princess Sirindhorn specially inquired about academic communications between China and Thailand and the development of the Confucius College in Thailand. Then Her Royal Highness visited the room she once lived in and took pictures with the Ambassador and PKU Executive Vice President Lin Jianhua in front of the tree planted by Her Royal Highness.
Background:
The Princess of Thailand, Her Royal Highness Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, was born in Bangkok on Apr. 2nd, 1955. Her Royal Highness has been to China many times and dedicated her life to truthfully introducing Chinese culture and history to Thailand. Princess Sirindhorn has won several awards in this field: "Chinese Language and Culture Friendship Award", "Understanding and Friendship International Literary Award" and the title of "Friendship Ambassador." Princess Sirindhorn studied in PKU for one month as a winner of the Chinese Culture Research Fellowship and achieved an Honorary Doctorate Degree in PKU. In 2005, Princess Sirindhorn founded the PKU Sirindhorn Technology and Culture Exchange Center. Her Royal Highness also has been making great contributions to the development of the Confucius College in Thailand.
Edited by: Seren
Translated by: An Jiang
Source: PKU News (Chinese)
