Giant Panda has become a special icon in the foreign relations.gi As a symbol of China-Thailand friendship,“Lin Hui”and “Chuang Chuang”, two Pandas were sent to Thailand in 2003, who gave birth two a cub named “Lin Bing” adored by Thailand people. During the “China-ASEAN Friendship Conference” held in Chengdu, Capital City of Sichuan Province in September this year, the former Thai Vice Prime Minister Mr. Korn Dabbaransi said the Thailand people are dearly missing Lin Bing very much and wanted to know how she was living after returning to China. To respond to the willingness of Thailand people and present the tourism attractions of Sichuan, October 15-24, 2014 ACC worked together with Chinese Embassy in Thailand by organizing and facilitating the three major TV networks from Thailand namely, Thairath, New TV and Channel 3 to shoot a featured program themed “A Tour to Panda’s Hometown” in Sichuan Province.
On 15-18 October, the crew went to Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong, two World Natural Heritage sites and National Geo Parks with their unique geological and natural scenes attracting millions of visitors from both home and abroad. The journalists interviewed park's management regarding their research, preservation, development and management.
On 19-20 October, the crew visited Xianfeng Lu Elementary School in Mianyang City, which was devastated by the earthquake in 2008 and was rebuild with the support of Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand. The School's annual program include sending exchange groups to schools in Thailand. Mr. ZHANG Xuemin, Director-General of Information Office of Mianyang was also interviewed to share his story on how the city was rebuild following the devastation from the earthquake.
On 22 October, the crew visited China Conservation & Research Centre for Giant Panda Dujiangyan Base. Born in Chiang Mai Zoo in 2009, Panda Lin Bing became a sensation and was loved by the people of Thailand. The crew interviewed the Director-General of the Centre and shot Lin Bing’s life in the Centre.
On 23 October, the crew went to Sichuan Cuisine Museum in Pi County. A major selling-point for Sichuan’s tourism industry, its illustrious cuisines play a vital role in attracting foreign visitors. The crew explored the origin, development and formation of the food in Sichuan. The host cooked iconic dishes under the chef's guidance and was presented to the viewers in Thailand. In showcasing the relaxed lifestyle in Chengdu the Capital of Sichuan, the crew went to Jinli to shoot the daily life there.
One of the main objectives of the shooting was to promote the economic and social achievements of Sichuan together with its diversified tourism resources, as well as the personnel exchanges between China and ASEAN Member Nations. The shows about the press tour will be aired on the networks in both TV and internet, which will contribute significantly to increased visitations between Thailand to China, enhance people-to-people connectivity, and symbolizing the close friendship between China and Thailand.