Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt welcomed an official delegation from sister city Chaozhou in China on Wednesday.

Led by He Xiaojun, Secretary of the Chaozhou Municipal Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, the delegation is visiting the Thai capital from Tuesday to Friday to discuss bilateral cooperation and strengthen the relationship between the two cities.

Chaozhou, commonly known as Teochew, is located in China’s eastern Guangdong province.

During their meeting on Wednesday, the representatives discussed collaborative projects in three key areas: trade and investment, culture and tourism, and agriculture.

Secretary He noted that Teochew is renowned for its ceramic, construction materials, and sanitaryware industries, with many Chinese companies having established branches in Thailand. He added that many Thais are also familiar with Teochew dialect, cuisine, music, and traditional performing arts thanks to the influence of Chinese settlers. Hence, Teochew culture could be showcased to boost tourism and cultural exchanges during Bangkok’s “12 Months 12 Festivals” campaign.

Teochew is also an agricultural hub for eastern China that could share modern agricultural technology with Bangkok farmers who grow similar crops in districts such as Nong Chok, Lat Krabang, Khlong Sam Wa, and Minburi, he said.

Governor Chadchart said Bangkok would establish an operational-level relationship with Chaozhou by forming taskforces on art and culture, economics, education, urban development, tourism, and other cooperative efforts.

“Making a new friend will create value and benefits for people of both cities,” he said.

“We are also looking to hold talks with Teochew businesspeople in Thailand regarding future economic cooperation projects.”

Bangkok and Chaozhou inked an agreement to become sister cities on November 23, 2005. The agreement encompasses cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, culture, education, tourism, and agriculture.