China, Thailand to Step Up Cultural CooperationChina and Thailand agreed to further strengthen cultural cooperation and exchange by signing a cooperative program Thursday.The Executive Program of the Memorandum of Understanding for Cultural Cooperation for 2000 and 2001 was signed by Pan Zhengzhou, visiting Chinese vice culture minister, and Somsak Prisasananathakul, Thai education minister. Both sides believed this move will boost Sino-Thai cultural relationship, and promote cultural development in both countries. The executive program, the second based on the Memorandum of Understanding for Cultural Cooperation between the two countries signed in 1996, includes exchanging visits of officials, art groups, art teachers, archeologists, ceramic experts, and other cultural personnel. The first executive program of the memorandum was signed in 1997. Somsak said the Sino-Thai cultural cooperation and exchange has been developing fast during last 20 years, and has achieved heartening results. By further benefiting each other, learning from each other and exchanging opinions, both of the two countries will do better in protecting and promoting their own cultures, he noted. The Chinese vice minister said his government is satisfied with the current development of Sino-Thai cultural cooperation, and will continue supporting and promoting the cooperation as it has done during the past. In recent years, the Sino-Thai ties are developing steadily, Pan said, and the pace of Sino-Thai cultural cooperation has been accelerated since the two countries established diplomatic relationship in 1975. Pan and his delegation of Chinese cultural officials arrived here on Wednesday for a six-day visit to Thailand. |
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