Thai Princess Sirindhorn, an old friend of China

Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn is the first Thai royal who has visited China. She is the envoy of China-Thailand friendship and the winner of China's "Friendship Medal". She excels in literature, music and painting and also known as "outstanding student" of Chinese culture.

The princess wins the Chinese friendship medal in 2019. 

Sirindhorn once said, "I have known China since I was a child. Although the People's Republic of China and Thailand had not established diplomatic relations at that time, I could already hear the voice of new China on radio."

In 1975, China and Thailand officially established diplomatic relations. In 1980, Sirindhorn started learning Chinese under the guidance of her mother. "My mother once said to me that Chinese people seek knowledge by reading. If I know Chinese, I can read Chinese books and learn more. Actually, the facts are just as my mother said." The following year, Princess Sirindhorn visited China for the first time. When she met with Deng Xiaoping, the former chairman of China, he said that both Thailand and China have a close and friendly relationship, because we are all Orientals and we have many common traditions and perceptions.

So far, Princess Sirindhorn has set foot in China nearly 50 times, traveling almost all provinces, cities, and autonomous regions in China. She wrote some travel journals to China such as "Treading the Dragon Land" and "Forward A-Far the Sand Streams" and other travel writings, providing a vivid portrayal of China to the people of Thailand. She introduced the important historical moment of Hong Kong's return in 1997 in her book “A Return to Motherland of China".

Princess Sirindhorn makes a wish on her 60th birthday in 2015. 

In 2001, Sirindhorn went to Peking University to study Chinese language and culture and received an honorary doctorate degree. After returning to China, she compiled the diary and photos she took while she was at Peking University into "A Student Abroad". After that, she visits Peking University almost every year, and grants her great concern and support to Peking University and its students. The year of 2005 marks the 30th anniversary of the China-Thailand diplomatic relations, and also the 50th birthday of Sirindhorn. Peking University established an academic exchange institution named after the princess-"Sirindhorn Technology Innovation Center" as a permanent gift from Peking University to commemorate her contributions and efforts.

Sirindhorn loves Chinese literature and has translated many Chinese literary works into Thai. She translated several collections of Tang and Song poems into translated poem collections such as "Verse of Clear Jade", and created a poem " The friendship between China and Thailand can last for a long time ". Sirindhorn is also a strong supporter of the establishment of Confucius institutes in Thailand - pushing cooperation between her alma maters, Chulalongkorn University and Peking University, to open a Confucius Institute in the former.

Princess Sirindhorn performs Chinese calligraphy in 2017. 

Every Spring Festival, Sirindhorn will always appear in Bangkok's Chinatown to celebrate the Chinese New Year. She has participated in major events to celebrate the return of Hong Kong and Macau and the Beijing Olympics, and firmly supports China on issues involving China's major interests. "Chinese people are hardworking and self-reliant, which is endowed by Chinese traditional culture. I think China will be more advanced in the future, making continuous breakthroughs in scientific research and other fields to achieve sustainable development and long-term stability." Sirindhorn said.

In 2009, one year after the Wenchuan earthquake, the princess went to the stricken area and donated 11 million yuan ($1.54 million) to help rebuild a primary school there. In 2018, Sirindhorn came to the earthquake relic of the old Beichuan county to pay tribute to flowers. She said that when the tsunami struck Thailand in 2004, the Red Cross of China immediately provided assistance, especially the fishermen’s village received a lot of support from China. After the Wenchuan earthquake, these fishermen also actively raised funds to help the disaster-stricken areas, which reflects the deep friendship between the people in two countries.

In 2018, Sirindhorn comes to the earthquake relic of Beichuan county to pay tribute to flowers.  

On the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Sirindhorn said in an interview that over the past 70 years, the Chinese government and people have overcome numerous difficulties on the road to developing the country. The Chinese people and leaders have been persevering, diligent and continuous learning. Only by continuous learning can they achieve today’s prosperity step by step. "On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, I wish China continuous progress, prosperity and peace, and greater achievements. I wish the Chinese people a happy and well-being life."

Source: Zhi News; Trans-editing by Mo Yingyi