Representatives of the Embassy of Laos and Thailand Met with the Chinese Media Delegation

On 23 July 2015, at the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) Secretariat, Ms. Southida Vongpachit and Ms. Phonexay Moungmixay from the Lao Embassy, and Mr. Worawut Smuthkalin from the Royal Thai Embassy met with the Chinese journalists who would join the “Reporting Trip” under the theme of “Experiencing ASEAN Community 2015 and ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership in Its Second Decade” to Kunming, Jinghong and Mohan of China, Boten and Houayxay of Laos, and Chiang Khong, Chiang Saen, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai and Lampang of Thailand, via R3A, connecting China and ASEAN. Ms. Lada Phumas, Director of Information and Public Relations Division (IPRD), facilitated the meeting.

The meeting was informative. The Chinese media had an interactive and friendly discussion with the representatives of the abovementioned two embassies. The delegation was particularly interested in the readiness of the relevant stakeholders to the realization of ASEAN Community in 2015, the impacts of ASEAN Community building and ASEAN-China relations on the daily life and work, as well as opportunities and challenges from such integration and ASEAN-China cooperation. 

While thanking ACC for organizing the Trip and arranging for this meeting, the Chinese journalists cherished the opportunity of the "Reporting Trip" and looked forward to the upcoming visit. 

Director Lada updated the Chinese media delegation on the Tentative Programme of the visit on 1 to 8 August 2015, and provided a snapshot of the “Reporting Trip”, containing the background, brief information about the development in ASEAN and ASEAN-China relations, roles of ACC in promoting the five areas of ASEAN-China cooperation as well as media cooperation and exchanges between China and ASEAN so as to raise awareness on ASEAN, ASEAN-China relations and ASEAN-China connectivity to the general public. She elaborated in details on the expectation and possible outcome from the Trip.

The representatives of the Lao and Thai Embassies thanked ACC for organizing the Reporting Trip and providing an opportunity to meet with the delegation prior to the actual trip. They extended their warm welcomes to the Chinese journalists, enjoyed the discussion and distributed useful information of their respective countries at the meeting.

This "Reporting Trip" by the Chinese media to ASEAN was initiated and mainly organized by ACC, with generous support of the relevant authorities of China, Laos and Thailand.

The delegation comprised 8 journalists/reporters from 7 media agencies, namely, People.cn, 21st Century Business Herald, Caijing Magazine, China-ASEAN Panorama Magazine, Beijing Mirror Evening News, Global Times Online and China Report Magazine.

Director Lada would lead the delegation to meet and interview with different levels of governmental officials as well as related officers of China, Laos and Thailand, make site-visits to the recommended special economic & trade zones along the border as well as visit some cultural and natural heritages. The Chinese media would also visit Confucius Institute in Chiang Mai University and discuss with the lecturers on the prospect of ASEAN-China relations.