Thai Princess Sirindhorn Visits Chongqing and Ningxia

Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand toured Chongqing Monday and Tuesday as part of her official friendly visit to China.

In a meeting with the princess Tuesday Chongqing Mayor Bao Xuding briefed her on the economic and social development in Chongqing since it became a municipality in 1997.

He also gave the princess an account of the resettlement of residents from the Three Gorges project site.

Bao said that in recent years economic, trade, scientific and cultural exchanges and cooperation between Chongqing and Thailand have kept expanding. Last year, their trade volume reached 15 million US dollars, and Thailand's investment in Chongqing has surpassed 24 million US dollars to date, the mayor said.

Cooperation in the tourism sector has enjoyed rapid progress, Bao said. Over the past five years, some 38 thousand Chongqing residents visited Thailand, while 8,500 Thai citizens toured Chongqing. Bao said he believes that the Princess' visit will further promote the exchanges and cooperation between Thailand and Chongqing.

This is the princess' second visit to Chongqing in the past five years. During the two-day visit, she has been to see the Chaotianmen Dock and the Xinhua Bookstore in Chongqing.

Thai Princess Sirindhorn Visits Ningxia

Ma Qizhi, chairman of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region met visiting Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand Tuesday evening.

Ma said told the Thai Princess that Ningxia has achieved great progress in the development of opening-up and increased more economic and cultural exchanges with other countries.

Ningxia is currently implementing the policy of developing west China to speed up local social and economic growth.

Ma said that the Princess's visit will enhance the mutual understanding and traditional friendship between the two nations, and thus build a new friendship bridge between Thailand and Ningxia.

The main purpose of the Princess's visit to Ningxia is to investigate the irrigation situation by the Yellow River and the fight against desertification.

The Princess received an Honorary Doctor's Degree from Beijing University early this year. The award was to mark her remarkable contribution to Sino-Thai exchanges.






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