Peking University, April 13, 2026: Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand led a delegation to Peking University (PKU) on April 11 for her 21st visit back to her alma mater, underscoring the strength of China-Thai friendship. She was received at the New Yanyuan campus by He Guangcai, Chair of PKU Council; Gong Qihuang, President of PKU; along with Chinese officials and PKU faculty and students.
Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn was received at the New Yanyuan Campus by He Guangcai and Gong Qihuang.
He Guangcai fondly recalled the Princess's trip to PKU last year, which coincided with the 50th anniversary of China-Thailand diplomatic relations, commenting that the Princess's signature trip to PKU has become a hallmark of friendship between the two countries.
Gong Qihuang briefed the Princess on the latest development of multiple PKU campuses, with an emphasis on the New Yanyuan campus, which was spearheading the development of "new engineering disciplines."
In response, the Princess gave a hearty compliment to the achievements of PKU and expressed her hope for more bilateral cooperation in engineering and Chinese language education.
In a highlight of the trip, the Princess was presented with the Global Development Research & Practice Award, a testament to her substantial contribution to the Global South.
Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn was presented with the Global Development Research & Practice Award.
Announcing the award decision, Gong Qihuang pointed out the Princess's efforts in building rural schools in Thailand, which have helped tens of thousands of Thai children receive high-quality education. This successful system has been carried over to other Southeast Asian countries such as Laos and Vietnam, benefiting over a million children, according to Gong Qihuang.
Immediately following was a new book launch ceremony for "Tai Ai Xue Zhong Wen" (Thai loves learning Chinese), which was a tailor-made Chinese language textbook for Thai students. It was a joint effort between PKU and Chulalongkorn University, and the Princess served as the honorary editor-in-chief.
At the end of the visit, the Princess wrote three Chinese characters with a brush pen as a gift to the New Yanyuan campus. The characters — "Chang Wei Xin" — conveyed her wish for PKU to keep forging ahead with innovation while upholding integrity.
New book launch ceremony for "Tai Ai Xue Zhong Wen."
Also present at the event were Chatchai Viriyavejakul, Thai Ambassador to China; Wu Jun, Counsellor of the Department of Asian Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Jia Peng, Deputy Director-General of the Department of International Cooperation and Exchanges, Ministry of Education; Fang Fang, Vice President of PKU; and Jiang Guohua, Vice Chair of PKU Council.
Reported and Written by: Chen Shizhuo
Photo by: Guo Mengjiao
