Around the Chinese New Year 2025, golden lanterns are hung on the streets of Bangkok's Chinatown, lion dancers beat gongs and drums, and red silks flutter in the wind. The 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Thailand has added special significance to this traditional festival. This reporter started a New Year trip across the mountains and the sea to experience the deep friendship between the two countries and witness the new hope of win-win cooperation sown along the banks of the Chao Phraya River.

On July 1, 1975, China and Thailand formally established diplomatic relations. 50 years, the relationship between the two countries from “China and Thailand as a family” upgraded to “comprehensive strategic partnership”, economic and trade cooperation has soared, known as a model of mutual benefit and win-win situation. China has been Thailand's largest trading partner for more than 10 consecutive years, and according to data released by China's General Administration of Customs on January 18, bilateral trade between China and Thailand amounted to 133.9815 billion U.S. dollars in 2024, a year-on-year increase of 6.1 percent.

Trade between the two countries has been escalating. Thailand's tropical fruits, high-quality rice and specialty handicrafts are constantly entering the Chinese market and are favored by Chinese consumers. China's machinery and equipment, electronic products and other products have been expanding their market share in Thailand.

Data released by the Board of Investment of Thailand on January 13 shows that China (excluding Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan) is the second largest source of foreign investment in Thailand. 2024, Chinese enterprises applied for investment in 810 projects in Thailand, applying for investment amounting to 174.6 billion baht (about 5.1 billion U.S. dollars). The investment of Chinese enterprises in Thailand also helps solve the employment of the local labor force. Take the Thai-Chinese Rayong Industrial Park as an example, as of the end of 2024, it has attracted nearly 250 Chinese enterprises to move in, creating about 50,000 jobs.

After China and Thailand realized mutual visa exemptions, it has become more convenient for people to travel between the two countries. According to Thailand's Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Thailand will receive more than 35 million international tourists in 2024, with Chinese tourists being the largest group of visitors at more than 6.7 million. The growth of Chinese tourists not only brings income and employment opportunities to Thailand's tourism industry, but also promotes the development of agriculture, food production and other important economic sectors, said Tapeni Chiappui, director of the National Tourism Administration of Thailand (NTAT).

Chinese New Year is not only a festival for the Chinese, but has become part of Thailand's multiculturalism. In the Chinese community of Bangkok, the flavor of Chinese New Year is like a warm and enthusiastic trend, quietly pervading every corner. On both sides of the street, red lanterns are hung high and colorful flags are fluttering, dressing up the whole community in a joyful atmosphere, and every light is telling the beautiful expectation for the New Year.

The market was bustling with people. The stalls were filled with all kinds of New Year's goods, ranging from traditional couplets, lucky charms and window decorations to a variety of New Year's snacks, such as rice cakes, sugar melons, melon seeds and peanuts, etc. The merchants enthusiastically solicited customers. The merchants are enthusiastically soliciting customers, their faces are full of festive joy. People walk through, selecting their favorite goods, from time to time came the laughter, full of joy overflowing.

Inside the community, the temple was abuzz with incense, and believers came in an endless stream to pray for the safety of their families and success in their careers in the new year. Outside the temple, dragon and lion dancers shuttled in and out, and the sound of gongs and drums added to the festive atmosphere. Children dressed in new clothes, holding red envelopes, faces full of innocent smiles, enjoying the joy of the festival.

As the night fell and the lights came on, wonderful cultural performances began to be staged in the square in the community. Lion dance, opera, songs and dances were performed in turn, which attracted many residents to watch. Everyone sat around, savored the food, enjoyed the performances, and laughed continuously, celebrating this traditional festival belonging to the Chinese nation.

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The 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Thailand is just like a “New Year's appointment”: there is not only the precipitation of traditional friendship, but also unlimited possibilities for the future. As the flower of cooperation blossoms, the hearts of the two peoples are drawn closer together. As the bilingual banner on the streets of Bangkok reads: “China and Thailand are of one heart, and the world is full of blessings”.