In order to further promote the organization and planning of I3PCC and expand cooperation with relevant Thai institutions involved in the sea, WANG Fan, director of the Institute of Oceanology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (IOCAS), led a delegation to Thailand from February 19 to 26, 2023. The delegation visited the Chinese Embassy in Thailand, IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific (WESTPAC), Burapha University, Fisheries Department of Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives of Thailand, Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and Chinese Academy of Sciences Bangkok Innovation Cooperation Center.
During the visit to Burapha University, Dr. Vasin Yuvanatemiya, vice president of Burapha University, Dr. Bunlung Nuangsaeng, director of the Institute of Marine Sciences, and Dr. Sarawut Siriwong, president of the Institute of Marine Science and Technology, hosted the delegation and held a symposium. At the symposium, Director Bunlung introduced the development process and current situation of Burapha University and the Institute of Marine Sciences, which has many ocean-related disciplines such as aquaculture, marine biodiversity, biotechnology, and attaches special importance to linking basic science and applied science to provide support for social and economic development.
Prof. YU Rencheng introduced the development process and overview of IOCAS, as well as the ongoing international cooperation projects of IOCAS. Vice President Vasin said that through this exchange, he learned about the strong scientific research strength and foundation of IOCAS, and proposed that two sides should carry out cooperation in marine monitoring, aquaculture, biodiversity, postgraduate training and science popularization.
Director WANG Fan said that this visit was the first institute-level visit of IOCAS since the epidemic, and also the first institute-level visit to Thailand. The Institute of Marine Sciences of Burapha University and IOCAS have many things in common. The scientists of both sides are familiar with each other at first sight, and the cooperation prospect is promising.
At present, IOCAS focuses on developing marine science that can serve policy management and social economy. The two institutions can develop broader regional cooperation on the basis of cooperation and establish cooperation networks with Indonesia, Malaysia and other countries. Through discussion, both sides agreed to sign a memorandum of cooperation in the near future to promote future cooperation and exchange activities. After the meeting, the delegation visited the Marine Science Museum of Burapha University (Bangsheng Aquarium).
Group photo of IOCAS delegation and the team of Burapha University
During the visit to Chinese Academy of Sciences Bangkok Innovation Cooperation Center, WANG Junwei, the Executive Director of the Center, introduced to the delegation the development history of the Center, the ongoing large-scale new energy agricultural project of fishing light complementation between China and Thailand, and bio pharmaceutical industry cooperation.
The delegation also held a discussion with Professor Pichai, Chairman of the Samudhabhipat Foundation of Thailand. Prof. Pichai said that IOCAS is a leader in the field of ocean-related research in China, and hopes to further expand the bilateral marine scientific cooperation and research between China and Thailand through this visit. The Samudhabhipat Foundation of Thailand is committed to innovative research and industrial application cooperation in the marine field. Thai sea-related units, including the Burapha University and Chulalongkorn University, have rich experience in international multilateral cooperation research. The Foundation will further enhance exchanges and cooperation between China and Thailand in the marine field through project support.
IOCAS delegation visited the China-Thailand ASEAN Innovation Port
Director WANG Fan praised the achievements of the Bangkok Innovation Cooperation Center and the China-Thailand ASEAN Innovation Port in promoting China-Thailand scientific and technological cooperation, and said that the visit of IOCAS was also to fulfill the requirements of the joint statement of the two countries on scientific and technological innovation. It is hoped that IOCAS and the Bangkok Innovation Cooperation Center can strengthen exchanges and cooperation and jointly promote relevant work in marine scientific research and industrialization.
In the future, IOCAS will further cooperate with the Bangkok Innovation Cooperation Center and the Samudhabhipat Foundation of Thailand, connect with local sea-related institutions such as Burapha University, and continue to expand cooperation and exchanges with Thailand and Southeast Asia. IOCAS also signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Samudhabhipat Foundation on future cooperation.
WANG Fan, Director of IOCAS, signed a memorandum of cooperation with Chairman Pichai of the Samudhabhipat Foundation in Thailand
During the visit, the delegation visited the Chinese Embassy in Thailand, and YANG Xin, the counselor of the Embassy, hosted the delegation. YANG Xin welcomed the delegation, and said that IOCAS delegation was the first scientist delegation to visit Thailand after the COVID-19 epidemic, which reflected the active assistance of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in carrying out science and technology diplomacy in Thailand, not only a strong support for national grand diplomacy, but also a concrete practice of the China Thailand community of shared future.
Director WANG Fan expressed his gratitude to YANG Xin for his hospitality during busy schedule. In order to fulfill the mission of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in national science and technology diplomacy, during this visit to Thailand, in addition to participating in the United Nations international conferences, IOCAS will focus on promoting systematic marine scientific and technological cooperation with Thailand, expanding bilateral research with Thai universities and scientific research institutions, and cooperating in scientific research capacity building and talent exchange, so as to inject vitality into the future China-Thailand marine scientific and technological innovation cooperation.
Counselor YANG Xin held cordial talks with Director WANG Fan
During this visit, the delegation was also invited to participate in the First International Scientific Symposium of CSK-2, and visited WESTPAC, Fisheries Department of Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives of Thailand and Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, laying a solid foundation for actively expanding the cooperation between IOCAS and Thai sea-related institutions.
IOCAS delegation participated in the First International Scientific Symposium of CSK-2
Choltisak Chawpaknam, Director of Fisheries Foreign Affairs, Fisheries Department of Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives of Thailand, hosted IOCAS delegation
Apichai Ekvanaknl, Director of Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, hosted IOCAS delegation
(Editor: ZHANG Yiyi)