Peking University, April 8, 2016: On the morning of April6, 2016, Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, Princess of the Kingdom of Thailand, along with her delegation visited Peking University (PKU). PKU president Lin Jianhua, former Chinese Ambassador to Thailand Fu Xuezhang, vice president Li Yansong, dean of Yenching Academy Yuan Ming and dean of School of Chinese as a Second Language Zhao Yang, welcomed the distinguished guests in Jingyuan Courtyard No. 3and both sides had cordial and friendly talks about the future development of PKU.
First of all, President Lin Jianhua, on behalf of PKU, extended the warmest welcome to the guests. He pointed out that there have been long-term cooperation and deep friendship between China and Thailand in recent years. And Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, as the envoy of friendship between Chinese and Thai people, has been for a long time concerned with the development of PKU. Since 2001, Princess Sirindhorn has visited PKU almost every year. Besides, the princess took up the post of Honorary Chair of the Science and Technology Cultural Exchange Center of PKU in 2005 and attended the opening ceremony of the Confucius Institute founded by PKU at Chulalongkorn University, her alma mater, in 2007. In viewing of that, Lin hoped that she would continue and support the future development of PKU and promote the comprehensive cooperation and sincere friendship between China and Thailand.
Then, Professor Yuan Ming gave a brief introduction to the Yenching Academy for Princess Sirindhorn. She said that its courses mainly concern with China, including politics, diplomacy, literature, philosophy, history and other spheres. And there are now more than a hundred Master’s candidates from thirty-two countries studying here. Furthermore, two excellent Thai students will come to study here this summer. And President Lin added that the students of Yenching Academy were all brilliant talents carefully selected out of a number of candidates and PKU intended to enhance the communication and cooperation between China and other countries with the help of these students. Finally, Princess Sirindhorn wrote “Know about China; Contribute to the world.” on the Guestbook of Yenching Academy. Both sides exchanged souvenirs and took a group photo to mark the occasion.
Lin Jianhua presenting the souvenir to Princess Sirindhorn
Professor Yuan Ming extending welcome to Princess Sirindhorn
Group photo with Chinese and Thai students of PKUAfter that, Princess Sirindhorn visited the Center for Research on Ancient Chinese History and met with director Rong Xinjiang, professor Zhu Yulin from the Department of History, professor Qian Zhixi from the Department of Chinese Language and Literature and others. The two sides had an informal discussion concerning the life and works of Li Po. Afterwards, she looked through the collection of books at the place, which reminded her of the Chinese-language library donated by herself in Chulalongkorn University. She said that she was looking forward to furthering the communication and cooperation with the research center. At last, the research center gave Princess Sirindhorn some of the books collected there and a piece of calligraphy work by Professor Zhu Yulin as presents.
Princess Sirindhorn visiting the Center for Research on Ancient Chinese History
