NADS and TCRC Sign a Memorandum on Co-building a Research Center for “Belt and Road” Initiative Cooperation

On the afternoon of November 23, 2018, National Academy of Development and Strategy, Renmin University of China (hereinafter referred to as NADS) and Thai-Chinese Strategic Research Center, National Research Council of Thailand (hereinafter referred to as TCRC) signed a memorandum of understanding on co-building a Research Center for “Belt and Road” Initiative Cooperation (hereinafter referred to as “the Center”) and held a signing ceremony at Renmin University of China (RUC). Liu Wei, President of RUC and Dean of NADS, Gen. Surasit Thanadtang, Director of TCRC, and Mr. Mongkol Visitstump, Minister of Royal Thai Embassy Beijing, attended and addressed the ceremony. The signing ceremony was presided over by Liu Yuanchun, Vice President of RUC.

First of all, RUC President Liu Wei extended his welcome to Gen. Surasit Thanadtang and Mr. Mongkol Visitstump, and introduced the history, disciplines, strengths, “double first-class” construction and other information on RUC. He hopes to more effectively deepen the research and exchanges regarding the “Belt and Road” Initiative between Chinese and Thai scholars and students on the platform of the Center, thus promoting the development of Sino-Thai relations.

TCRC Director Gen. Surasit Thanadtang expressed his thanks to RUC leaders and teachers for their warm reception during his visit. Meanwhile, he believes that China and Thailand have a lot of common understanding of development and expects to achieve win-win results through academic exchanges and cooperation. Finally, he conveyed the great importance attached by Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to the co-construction of the Center and expressed the hope that both sides would give better play to the role of think tanks, strengthen exchanges, build consensus and further improve Sino-Thai strategic cooperation.

Minister Mr. Mongkol Visitstump felt very pleased to witness the signing of the memorandum. The “Belt and Road” Initiative initiated by the Chinese government is a program seeking extensive cooperation and multi-win results, which offers new historical opportunities of full cooperation and development to both China and Thailand. In his opinion, China’s “Belt and Road” Initiative and “Thailand 4.0” development plan are complementary and the Center can provide intellectual support for the two governments and help attain the goal of sustainable development through further closer cooperation.

RUC Vice President Liu Yuanchun chaired the meeting and had deep communication with guests from both sides on aspects such as the governance system and mode of operation of the Center. He believes that the Center is intended to promote China-Thailand strategic cooperation by boosting academic exchanges between RUC and colleges and universities in Thailand. Later, the two sides stressed that they would complete the mission of the Center by deepening exchanges between students and scholars from the two countries, sharing results of research cooperation and organizing meetings, thereby contributing to coordinated development of China and Thailand in politics, economy, culture and other fields.

Also present were distinguished guests such as Dr. Tharakorn Wusatirakul, Deputy Director of TCRC, Col. Atit Muanglek, Defence and Army Attache of Royal Thai Embassy Beijing, First Secretary Miss Pichayanin Wangchalabovorn, Mr. Wirun Phichaiwongphakdee and Mr. Chang Xiang, Research Fellows at TCRC, Yan Jinming, Executive Dean of NADS and Director of Research Department, Xu Qinhua, Deputy Dean of NADS and Director of RUC Research Center for “Belt and Road” Initiative, Ma Liang, Assistant to Dean of NADS and Zhang Damiao, Deputy Director of RUC Office of International Exchange.

The National Academy of Development and Strategy, Renmin University of China, was selected into first batch of 25 "China Top Think Tanks" pilot units in 2015. In 2018, it ranked No.1 in the "Top 100 University Think Tanks". RUC NADS sticks to the goal of “national strategy, global vision, decision-making consultation, public opinion guidance”, focuses on knowledge innovation and global future, strives to become a new Chinese think tank with international influence, and serves for national development strategy and social progress. Chairman of NADS is Jin Nuo, Party Secretary of RUC, Dean of NADS is Liu Wei, President of RUC, and Executive Dean of NADS is Yan Jinming, Director of Research Department.

National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) is the competent authority of academic research in Thailand, which is directly led by Thai Prime Minister Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, with NRCT Secretary-General Dr. Sirirurg Songsivilai taking charge of its daily administration. NRCT performs functions such as providing policy recommendations for the Prime Minister and the cabinet, making policies, plans and strategies, developing national academic research plans and allocating research funds. It consists of committees in 12 disciplines and regional and country-specific research centers.

Thai-Chinese Strategic Research Center (TCRC) is a regional and country-specific research center directly under NRCT and takes charge of Thai and Chinese issues and Thai-Chinese strategic cooperative research. TCRC is intended to promote Thai-Chinese academic research and exchanges in different fields and translate research results into policies and strategies of the Thai government, ultimately contributing to strategic synergy between Thailand and China and regional win-win cooperation. TCRC is now led by Gen. Surasit Thanadtang.