户思社副会长会见泰国友人西林·帕他诺泰

On November 5, Hu Sishe, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), met with Ms. Sirin Phathanothai (Chinese name: Chang Yuan), a long-standing friend of China from Thailand, and her son, Mr. Joe Horn-Phathanothai (Chinese name: Chang Nianzhou).

Vice President Hu extended a warm welcome to Ms. Phathanothai, noting that her legendary life has been a testament to the history and development of China-Thailand relations. He expressed his high regard for the Phathanothai family’s significant contributions to the friendship between the two nations. Vice President Hu also voiced his hope that both parties would continue to enhance mutual understanding and friendship through future cultural exchange initiatives, such as the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation and activities commemorating the legacy of Premier Zhou Enlai.

Ms. Phathanothai reflected on her years growing up and studying under the care of Premier Zhou Enlai, as well as her lifelong, unbreakable bond with China. She expressed her commitment to working alongside the CPAFFC to further deepen the traditional friendship between China and Thailand.

Historical Context: In 1956, at the age of eight, Sirin Phathanothai arrived in China with her brother, who was then serving as the personal representative of the Thai Prime Minister. It was during this time that the renowned revolutionary and stateswoman He Xiangning gave her the Chinese name, Chang Yuan.