ACC Organized a Reporting Trip for Thai Media Delegation in China

In order to further promote China’s tourism market in Thailand and enhance mutual understanding between the peoples of China and Thailand, ASEAN-China Centre (ACC), in collaboration with the Chinese Embassy in Thailand, organized a reporting trip for Thai mainstream media delegation to China during 10 to 19 August 2014. 

On 11 August 2014, the Thai media delegation paid a visit to ACC. ACC Secretary-General Ma Mingqiang met with the delegation at the ACC Secretariat. Secretary-General Ma extended a warm welcome to the Thai media delegation. He briefed the delegation on ACC’s mandates and activities, emphasizing that ACC is a one-stop information and activities centre, aiming to promote ASEAN-China cooperation in the fields of trade, investment, education, culture and tourism, as well as to promote ASEAN-China mutual understanding and trust. As media plays an important role in ASEAN-China relations, ACC would always welcome reporters from ASEAN and China to visit its Secretariat, and would work together with the media to enhance ASEAN-China relations. 

After the interactive dialogue, Secretary-General Ma received an interview by the host and reporter from TNN24. He shared his perspectives on a wide range of issues including how to further promote ASEAN-China mutual investment, particularly on how to encourage more Chinese investment in ASEAN, and a support for an ASEAN integration process and the realization of ASEAN Community by 2015. 

On 15-19 August 2014, Ms. Lada Phumas, Director of Information and Public Relations (IPRD) of ACC, accompanied the delegates to Shandong Province, where ACC assisted to cooperate with Tai'an Municipal Economic Cooperation Bureau and Shandong China Travel Service for co-organizing the visit. Highlights were fast development of China in Shandong Province against the backdrop of Chinese civilization and culture of the sacred Mount Tai (Tai Shan) and the holy city of Qufu. The delegation took hundreds of photos and filmed video as well as posed many interesting questions with great enthusiasm throughout the trip. 

In Tai'an, the delegation went to Dai Temple (Dai Miao) which was designed as a replica of the imperial palace, making it one out of the three extant structures in China with the features of an imperial palace. The others two are the Forbidden City in Beijing and the Confucius Temple in Qufu where the delegation also visited and had first hand experience. The delegates were very impressed by the spectacular nature scenes and ancient Chinese civilization of Mount Tai (Tai Shan) as they climbed up this mountain of historical and cultural significance of China and of the world natural and cultural heritages by UNESCO since 1987.

In Qufu, the media delegates were pleased to visit this hometown of Confucius where they could explore the important UNESCO world heritage site such as the Temple of Confucius, the Cemetery of Confucius and the Kong Family Mansion. They showed great interest in Confucianism, Confucius philosophy and culture. The delegation learnt that Thailand has the largest number of Confucius Institutes, promoted by China, among all the ten countries in ASEAN.

Before the delegation left Beijing to Shandong Province, it also had an opportunity to meet with Mrs. Ureerat Ratanaprukse, Chargé d'Affairs of the Royal Thai Embassy in Beijing, to exchange views on history and current development of China.

In brief, the reporting trip was very successful and educative. It served as a platform to connect the peoples of China and Thailand. It helped enhance mutual understanding between China and Thailand by means of civilization, culture and tourism. This was the first time ACC organized the ASEAN media visit and make a meaningful reporting trip about China and in China. 

The Thai media delegation comprised 7 reporters from the Nation Multimedia Group, National Broadcasting Services of Thailand, TNN24 and FM 103. It produced 5-episode documentary about this trip on the Nation TV (http://www.nationtv.tv/main/program/Sawasdee Asian/378421663) and TNN24 channels, edited a series of articles in the Nation newspaper as well as broadcast the information through FM103 radio channel. The delegates expressed their sincere gratitude to ACC for its arrangements and coordination on the trip in Shandong Province and strongly recognized the important roles of ACC to enhance ASEAN-China strategic partnership and to promote 2014 ASEAN-China Cultural Exchange Year.