CASS President and NRCT Executive Director Discuss Strengthening Thailand–China Research Cooperation in the Social Sciences
12 October 2026
Beijing, People’s Republic of China, September 20, 2026 — Professor Gao Xiang, President of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), and Dr. Wiparat De-ong, Executive Director of the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT), held discussions on continuing and strengthening their longstanding partnership to create new academic opportunities and enhance research cooperation between Thailand and China in the social sciences.
On this occasion, the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT), under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), led by Dr. Wiparat De-ong, Executive Director of NRCT, met with senior executives of CASS in Beijing, People’s Republic of China. The meeting provided an opportunity for both sides to exchange perspectives, explore approaches to promoting bilateral research collaboration, and further develop academic networks for future cooperation.
The meeting was attended by Professor Gao Xiang, President of CASS, together with senior executives and representatives from relevant agencies of both countries. Discussions focused on the direction of Thailand–China cooperation, particularly the advancement of archaeological research, as well as ways to strengthen connections among researchers, experts, and research institutions in both countries. These efforts aim to support the development of joint research projects and facilitate knowledge exchange.
Professor Gao Xiang highlighted the close relationship between Thailand and China and the longstanding partnership between NRCT and CASS. He proposed four key areas for future cooperation:
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Joint Research Projects: Developing joint research projects addressing key issues of mutual interest to Thailand and China.
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Archaeological Research and Cultural Heritage: Strengthening cooperation in archaeology, with the involvement of the Institute of Archaeology at CASS, particularly in archaeological excavations and cultural heritage management.
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Academic Exchanges: Promoting student exchanges at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels, as well as exchanges involving postdoctoral researchers.
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Cooperation Mechanisms: Establishing effective mechanisms to strengthen and sustain cooperation between NRCT and CASS.
Dr. Wiparat De-ong, Executive Director of NRCT, expressed her sincere appreciation to Professor Gao Xiang for the warm welcome extended to the Thai delegation. She highlighted the longstanding and continuous cooperation between NRCT and CASS, which has spanned more than 25 years. This partnership includes the ongoing activities of the NRCT–CASS Chinese Research Center, as well as Professor Gao Xiang’s visit to the center in the previous year, reflecting the strong relationship between the two institutions.
Regarding current and future cooperation, Dr. Wiparat emphasized the importance of expanding collaboration on a broader scale, with a multidisciplinary approach covering archaeology, history, and other fields of the social sciences, as mutually agreed upon by both parties.
In addition to participating in a scientific archaeology seminar in Beijing, the Thai delegation visited important historical sites and museums in Anyang, People’s Republic of China. The visit highlighted CASS’s leading role in archaeological research and reinforced NRCT’s readiness to pursue further research collaboration with CASS in the future.
The meeting reaffirmed the strong relationship and shared commitment of NRCT and CASS to advancing research cooperation, strengthening the expertise and capabilities of Thai and Chinese personnel, and promoting collaboration on key issues of mutual interest for the benefit of both countries.
