A group photo at Linhuxuan, Peking University
Peking University, April 7, 2024: Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of the Kingdom of Thailand graced Peking University (PKU) with a memorable visit on April 6, 2024, during which she toured her Alma Mater, interacted with pupils at the PKU Elementary School, and joined a welcome banquet celebrating her 69th birthday.
Arriving early on the morning, Princess Sirindhorn and her entourage were warmly welcomed by PKU Council Chair Hao Ping and PKU President Gong Qihuang in front of the façade of Linhuxuan, flanked by Thai and Chinese representatives. Officials from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Education, as well as School leaders and professors, joined the gathering.
At Linhuxuan, Princess Sirindhorn reminisced about her life and study at Peking University, while inquiring about the University's development and emphasizing the enduring friendship between Thailand and China. She lauded the significant strides made in educational cooperation between the two nations, particularly highlighting the popularity of Chinese language courses in Thailand and the growing opportunities for Chinese students in Thai institutions.
Princess Sirindhorn, who studied Chinese language and culture at Peking University, expressed her wish for more Thai students to pursue studies at her Alma Mater and other Chinese institutions. She also voiced hopes for expanded Thai-Sino collaborations in various fields including science and technology, medicine, engineering, and vocational training.
Hao Ping warmly welcomed Princess Sirindhorn, recalling her academic journey at Peking University, including her routine practice of Tai Chi on campus. Hao commended the princess's unwavering support for Peking University and her significant contributions to fostering mutual understanding and friendship between China and Thailand.
Gong Qihuang thanked Princess Sirindhorn's enduring support of Peking University and introduced the institution's developments and projects, particularly in emerging engineering and interdisciplinary fields, since last June, when he visited the princess in Bangkok. Gong pointed out that under the patronage of Princess Sirindhorn, Peking University has conducted constructive cooperation with Thai higher institutions in fields including language and culture, medicine, biology, chemistry, and engineering. He also hoped that this trip could provide the princess with a fresh experience of her Alma Mater.
Princess Sirindhorn at the Institute for Artificial Intelligence
Prof. Zhu Songchun gives a presentation at the event
Shortly after the meeting, the princess visited the Institute for Artificial Intelligence, where Prof. Zhu Songchun, dean of the institute, gave an overview of the institute's advancements and an intriguing demonstration of a brand-new AI product his team was working on. With virtual and human collaborators, including the institute's self-developed Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) agent “Little Girl” Tongtong, a singer, and a dancer, Prof. Zhu demonstrated to the princess how the technology could emulate and improvise with human performers.
Combo photos show Princess Sirindhorn's visit to Peking University Elementary School
A group photo at Peking University Elementary School
Princess Sirindhorn thoroughly enjoyed her visit to Peking University Elementary School next, where the School delighted her with an array of impressive student performances, including martial arts, Peking Opera, and even a robot show. With her close bond with the School and its children, Princess Sirindhorn viewed fondly an exhibition of the students' paintings and calligraphy. Clearly demonstrating her love and care, the princess picked up a brush and created a piece of calligraphy herself, writing down a Chinese phrase, "Fertile Ground for Education," and then gifted her artistic work to the school.
Princess Sirindhorn cuts the birthday cake at the welcome banquet
Peking University Student Choir performs during the celebration
A celebration ensued over a welcome banquet at the University's Zhongguanyuan Global Village, honoring Princess Sirindhorn’s birthday which was just four days prior. The celebration featured a special film "Princess Sirindhorn's Bond with Yan Yuan," featuring her 18 previous visits to Peking University. The Peking University Elementary School's Peking Opera Troupe performed 'Peach Blossom Village," while the Peking University Student Choir sang "May We All Be Blessed with Longevity" and the birthday song during the celebration.
Princess Sirindhorn visits the National School of Development and the Institute of South-South Cooperation and Development at Peking University
In the afternoon, the princess visited the Chengze Garden of Peking University and greeted Prof. Justin Yifu Lin, the honorary dean of the National School of Development (NSD) and dean of the Institute of South-South Cooperation and Development (ISSCAD). Prof. Lin accompanied the princess on the tour of the NSD and the ISSCAD while briefing Her Highness on the background and development of the School and the Institute.
An archive photo shows Princess Sirindhorn receiving an honorary doctorate from Peking University in 2001
Princess Sirindhorn studies at Peking University (left); Princess Sirindhorn plays erhu, a Chinese two-stringed bowed instrument
This marked Princess Sirindhorn's 19th visit to Peking University since she was awarded an honorary doctoral degree by the University in 2001. Each of her visits to China almost invariably includes a stop at Peking University.
Princess Sirindhorn at a MoU signing ceremony for the Confucius Institute at Chulalongkorn University (established jointly with Peking University) in 2006
With the care and support from Princess Sirindhorn, Peking University is poised to further enhance exchanges and cooperation in education, culture, and academia with Thailand, contributing to the special friendship between China and Thailand.
Reported and written by: Bao Rui
Edited by: Dennis Meng
Photos by: Li Xianghua, Liu Yueling, Song Mengli