Echoing the 50th anniversary of China-Thailand diplomatic relations and the Golden Year of Friendship between the two countries, a friendship tree planting ceremony for strengthening ties between Shandong and Thailand was held in Jinan, Shandong province, on March 20.

The event was jointly hosted by the Office of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the CPC Shandong Provincial Committee and the Thai Consulate-General in Qingdao. More than 30 people attended, including student representatives from Shandong University of Finance and Economics and Shandong Normal University.

Sata Arayakul, consul general of Thailand in Qingdao, emphasized the longstanding friendship between Thailand and China, highlighting the strong trust the two nations have for each other.

He affirmed the consulate's commitment to exchanges between Thailand and Shandong in trade and culture, aiming to facilitate further cooperation and shared achievements.

Following the unveiling of the friendship tree plaque, attendees planted a pine tree together. This symbolic act marks the start of a new chapter in exchanges between Shandong and Thailand.

In recent years, Shandong and Thailand have achieved fruitful results in exchanges and cooperation related to sister cities, education, and culture. In 2024, total trade between Shandong and Thailand reached 74.59 billion yuan ($10.29 billion), a year-on-year growth of 10.8 percent.