The Thai Festival attracts many visitors. [Photo/WeChat account of XMFAO]

This year marks the 50th anniversary of China-Thailand diplomatic relations, celebrated as the Golden Jubilee year for Thailand-China Friendship. To commemorate this milestone, the Foreign Affairs Office of Xiamen Municipal People's Government organized the Thai Festival Xiamen, which opened on March 22 at Zhongshan Road in Siming district, Xiamen. The event welcomed over 100 participants including enterprise representatives and international students from both countries.

The festival featured five immersive experience zones: an Information Exchange Area, a Thai Cuisine Tasting Area, Featured Products Area, a Cultural Performance Area, and Interactive Activities Area, comprehensively showcasing Thailand's specialty goods, culinary delights, and cultural heritage.

From the vibrant flavors of Thai cuisine to the distinctive Thai silk products, crowds of Xiamen residents flocked to various booths to savor delicacies and shop for goods. Interactive activities like Thai cooking demonstrations and traditional handicraft stamping workshops particularly captivated local citizens and tourists alike.

The event was held at Zhongshan Road, Xiamen's most celebrated century-old commercial thoroughfare. Featuring distinctive Southeast Asian-style arcaded buildings (known as "qilou"), this historic street embodies the harmonious fusion of Chinese and foreign cultures, showcasing Xiamen's open and inclusive cosmopolitan charm.

The Thai Festival was not merely a grand showcase of Thailand's brilliant arts and vibrant culture but also served as a window for Xiamen citizens to explore the historical connections between Thailand and both Fujian province and Xiamen city. 

It demonstrated the profound friendship and close cooperation between China and Thailand, laying a solid foundation for future collaborations across various fields between Xiamen and Thailand.