The 4th Songkran Cultural Exchange Activity in Sichuan Province was held at Neijiang Normal University on April 17th. Attending the event were Li Honglin, a first-level researcher from the Department of International Exchange and Cooperation of the Sichuan Provincial Department of Education; Najjsiri Nimyizhune (Lin Mei), Acting Consul General of the Royal Thai Consulate in Chengdu; Waruntorn Kochtaropas (Wan Kepeng), Consul; Chen Xiaochun, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and President of our university; Chaphiporn Kiatkachatharn (Guan Guoxing), a specially-appointed expert at Chengdu University and recipient of the Chinese Government Friendship Award; and Yang Chunmei, Deputy Director of the Neijiang Municipal Bureau of Economic Cooperation. Representatives of international students from Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia from our university also participated.

During the event, Thai international students and Thai language major students from Neijiang Normal University and Chengdu University took turns to perform on stage. They presented a medley of Thai dances, the dance "Celebrating Songkran," the playing of the Thai butterfly harp, and traditional Thai dances, offering the audience a sumptuous feast of Thai culture. The event also featured Songkran blessing ceremonies, water-splashing activities, and Southeast Asian food tasting, all of which were filled with festive joy.

Songkran, also known as the Water-Splashing Festival, is one of the important traditional festivals in Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries. The hosting of this Songkran cultural exchange activity is a vivid practice of our university's implementation of the "Belt and Road" educational initiative. It is a concrete manifestation of strengthening Sino-Thai cultural exchanges and promoting mutual learning among civilizations. It is conducive to enhancing friendship and understanding between Chinese and Thai youth and writing a new chapter of "One Family Under the Same Sky" between China and Thailand.