On September 11, 2025, the "Thailand-China, Connected as Family" Series Event: Ties of Thailand, Tides of Teochew Cultural Exhibition, grandly opened at Chen Cihong's Former Residence in Shantou.
Co-hosted by the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Guangzhou and the Shantou Foreign Affairs Bureau, and under the guidance of the Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Guangdong Province, this event is not only a key component of the series of celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of Thailand-China diplomatic relations but also serves as a bridge connecting Thai and Chinese cultures and deepening people-to-people friendships.
Grand Opening: Witnessing a New Starting Point for Cultural Integration
The atmosphere at the opening ceremony was solemn yet enthusiastic. At around 10 a.m., after the guests took their seats in an orderly manner, the host, centering on the theme of "Thailand-China, Connected as Family," reviewed the five-decade-long friendly exchanges between the two countries and emphasized the special significance of this exhibition at the milestone of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations—it is both a tribute to the achievements of cultural exchanges in the past and a foundation and prospect for in-depth cooperation in the future.
Mr. Kajtiti Wiwatwanont, Consul-General of the Kingdom of Thailand in Guangzhou, spoke highly of the profound Thailand-China friendship embodied by the concept of "Connected as Family" in his speech. He reiterated that Southern Chinese cultures, such as those of Chaoshan region (Guangdong cities of Chaozhou, Shantou and Jieyang) and Hainan, have taken root in Thailand through overseas Chinese, and the spread of beliefs and intangible cultural heritage, such as cuisine and lifestyle, in Thailand is the best testament to this. He expressed the expectation that this exhibition will serve as an opportunity to further enhance cultural connectivity and resonance between the peoples of the two countries.
Representatives of the event organizers stated in their speeches that the Exhibition aims to explore the commonalities in beliefs and cultural contexts of overseas Chinese, such as Chaoshan culture and Hainan culture, that have blended harmoniously into Thai culture and society through cultural dialogues.
Launched at Chen Cihong's Former Residence, an important landmark bearing Chaoshan's historical and cultural heritage with a profound overseas Chinese connection to Thailand, the Exhibition underscores the cordial ties of the peoples of Thailand and China that have fostered flourishing relations between the two countries.
The representative of the Shantou Foreign Affairs Bureau pointed out that cultural exchanges between Thailand and China are an important cornerstone of bilateral relations and expressed hopes that this Exhibition will become a new driving force for promoting people-to-people exchanges between the two sides.
Cultural Co-Dance: The Mutual Embrace of Intangible Cultural Heritage and National Martial Arts
At the opening ceremony, cultural performances emerged as a highlight that showcased the charms of Thailand-China integration. Taking the stage first was the Chaoshan Yingge Dance, whose vigorous and powerful movements and rousing, inspiring rhythm set the entire venue ablaze. Originating from Chaoshan, this traditional dance was introduced to Thailand by overseas Chinese over a century ago. Today, it has taken root in 15 provinces of Thailand and is hailed as a "living fossil" of the cultural bond between Thailand and China.
Subsequently, the Chinese National Muay Thai Team took the stage with a dynamic Muay Thai performance and interactive demonstration, showcasing both the raw power and intricate finesse of Thailand's national martial art. This up-close display allowed the audience to immerse themselves in the profound heritage of Thai martial culture. Closing the performance segment was the Chaoshan Kirin Dance: with its nimble movements and auspicious symbolism, the dance embodied the Chaoshan people's aspirations for a better life and the shared vision of Thailand-China friendship, drawing sustained waves of applause.
From Yingge Dance to Muay Thai, and from Qilin Dance to culinary culture, the collision and fusion of these diverse cultural elements have deepened the resonance of the "Thailand-China: Connected as Family" philosophy among those present.
Dual-Track Advancement: Exhibition and Contest Illuminate New Forms of Exchange
This event innovatively adopts a dual-track "exhibition + competition" model. Among them, the "Thailand-China, Connected as Family" Series Event: Ties of Thailand, Tides of Teochew Cultural Exhibition will run until September 25 at Chen Cihong's Former Residence. Through vivid suitcase-themed display boards and three-dimensional installations, it systematically showcases the achievements of cultural integration between Thailand and China in areas such as folk customs, art, and cuisine.
Launched simultaneously, the "Thailand-China, Connected as Family" China-Thailand University Student Bilingual Short Video Contest calls for submissions from Chinese students majoring in Thai at four universities in Guangdong and Hainan (Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, Shantou University, Hainan Tropical Ocean University, and Hainan College of Foreign Studies), as well as Thai international students studying at any university in the two provinces. The contest encourages young people to capture touching moments of Thailand-China culture through the lens and creatively tell stories of the friendship between the two countries while highlighting the 50th anniversary of Thailand-China diplomatic relations in 2025.
At the opening ceremony, distinguished guests from Thailand and China took the stage together to participate in the launching ceremony. Amidst the countdown from the entire audience, they lit up the large screen, officially announcing the simultaneous launch of the cultural exhibition and the short video contest. The Exhibition will subsequently embark on a six-month tour.
The "Thailand-China Cultural Exhibition: Connected as Family" will be featured at the Guangzhou Nansha Music Venue on September 13-14, and the "Lancang to Chao Phraya - Guangzhou" exhibition at the Guangzhou New Cultural Center starting from September 27, bringing the charms of Thailand-China cultural integration to more cities in Guangdong and engaging a wider public audience.
Friendship Endures: Building a Cultural Bridge to the Future
Towards the end of the opening ceremony, guests visited the exhibition together and savored Thai-Chinese charactered cuisines, deepening their understanding of each other's cultures through an immersive experience. Many guests stated that this event not only allowed everyone to feel the diverse charms of the two blending cultures but also showcased the solid foundation of friendship between the two nations.
It is noted that as a key cultural event marking the 50th anniversary of Thailand-China diplomatic relations, the "Thailand-China, Connected as Family" Series Event: Ties of Thailand, Tides of Teochew Cultural Exhibition will continue to play a bridging role, promoting in-depth cooperation between Thailand and China in culture, economy, education, people-to-people exchanges, and other fields through various forms such as cultural displays, youth interactions, and tour exhibitions. The organizers hope that with culture as a medium, the beautiful vision of "Thailand-China, Connected as Family" will shine more brilliantly in the new era and inject more lasting cultural impetus into the development of bilateral relations.
Reporter: Guo Zedong
Photo: Royal Thai Consulate-General in Guangzhou
Editor: Yuan Zixiang, James Campion, Shen He
