Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand is very prestigious in her own country but also enjoys a good reputation in China. She has kept visiting China nearly every year since her first visit 28 years ago. Having been dedicated to introducing Chinese history and culture to Thai people, Princess Sirindhorn has contributed a great deal to the promotion of cultural exchange and friendship between the two nations. The story below, produced by CRI's correspondent in Thailand, Zhang Dongmei, may help people further recognize Princess Sirindhorn--an outstanding envoy of Sino-Thai friendship.

Princess Sirindhorn meets with Fu Zengyou, director of the Confucius Institute of Chulalongkorn University in Thailand. [Photo/CRI]

Chulalongkorn University, founded in 1916, is one of the most reputed universities in Thailand. The Confucius Institute of Chulalongkorn University is right in Maha Chulalongkorn Building, famous for its traditional Thai style. A seminar entitled "The 60-year Reform and Development of New China" was recently held there. Princess Sirindhorn, known as a "China Hand," attended the seminar and delivered a high spirited speech.

The princess spoke Chinese in the very beginning of her speech, saying, "When Professor Fu invited me to deliver a speech here today, I felt a little worried at first. I should speak Chinese at such an event, but I am afraid no one will understand me because I have no time to practice and write Chinese. The dean of the Faculty of Arts of Chulalongkorn University has said, 'Thai people speak Thai and Chinese people speak Chinese,' so then I felt more comfortable. Now I am going to speak in Thai, thank you!"

Speaking for more than one hour, the princess stated that since its founding 60 years ago, China has undergone many ups and downs and gradually developed into a world economic power. The last 30 years witnessed a huge social transformation and great achievements in China, thanks to the reform and opening-up policy. Today, China has become one of the most important trade partners with Thailand. Many Thai people, the younger generation in particular, show a strong willingness to learn about Chinese language and culture.

As a matter of fact, Princess Sirindhorn herself is a great example of that attitude. "Princess Sirindhorn has long devoted herself to promoting a China--Thailand friendship. She has traveled throughout China and is really an outstanding envoy for both nations. Princess Sirindhorn has kept learning about Chinese culture and arts and continued studying the Chinese language for years. In May 2009, one year after the Wenchuan earthquake, the princess went to the earthquake-stricken area and donated a large sum of money to help rebuild schools. Chinese people will never forget the help and sincere friendship the princess brought," said Guan Mu, Chinese ambassador to Thailand, at the seminar.

China has had diplomatic relations with Thailand for 35 years. The relationship between the two nations is now viewed as a model for countries with different social systems to develop peacefully, although it was a fairly different picture 35 years ago. Coming from Peking University in Beijing, Professor Fu Zengyou, current director of the Confucius Institute of Chulalongkorn University, was one of the three overseas students sent by the Chinese government in 1980. Speaking on the knowledge of China that Thai people possessed 30 years ago, Professor Fu said, " Historically Thailand had very good relations with China, but for quite a long time Thai people knew very little about China due to the different social systems and long isolation between the two countries, especially during the Cold War. For many Thai people, their knowledge of China came from the old generation coming to Thailand. For example, when I first came here, many Thais asked me whether people over the age of 60 in China were killed to make fertilizer. It sounds quite odd. Because of the princess and her movement to learn Chinese and dedication to introducing China to her people, many Thai no longer have misunderstandings about China."

In terms of the contributions that Princess Sirindhorn made in promoting Chinese language, Professor Fu told CRI that not only does the princess herself learn Chinese, but she contributes to making Chinese widely studied in Thailand. Besides, she also strongly supports the establishment of Confucius Institutes. Chulalongkorn University is the princess's alma mater, and a one-month experience learning Chinese at Peking University of China also left her with happy memories. So it is understandable that the princess is dedicated to pushing corporation between Chulalongkorn University and Peking University and opening Confucius Institutes.

The Confucius Institute in Chulalongkorn University, which opened on March 26, 2007, is the first Confucius Institute jointly established and managed by China and Thailand, which embodied the princess's high expectations. Since then, the cooperation between the two countries in setting up Confucius Institutes and classrooms has undergone a smooth and fast development. Up to now, the number of Confucius Institutes and classrooms in Thailand is higher than any other foreign country. Thousands of volunteers from China head for Thailand each year to teach Chinese language.

Princess Sirindhorn also loves literature, and during her time spent learning Chinese in China, she translated many works written by Chinese writers, like Wang Meng and Fang Fang, which greatly helped Thai readers learn about China's politics and society. More importantly, Princess Sirindhorn visits China frequently. Her footprints can be found in a large area of China, ranging from Beijing to Tibet, from eastern coastal areas to the northwestern interior.

"Princess Sirindhorn has visited China 28 times in 28 years, once a year on average. As she says, her visits to China are so frequent that it's like "visiting relatives." She has also written several books after coming back from China. All the Thai TV stations give detailed reports about her itinerary, which makes more Thai people recognize China and also helps Chinese people get a deeper understanding of Thailand. Some Chinese told me that Princess Sirindhorn is the reason they chose to learn Thai, and of course many Thai students hold similar views. In this sense, the princess plays a crucial role in promoting Chinese language as well as communication and friendship between two nations," Professor Fu said.

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