Bangkok Hosts Mekong-Lancang Conference on Language, Ecology

The 2026 Mekong-Lancang International Academic Conference, themed "Language, Ecosystem, Civilization," officially opened at the Asawin Grand Convention Hotel in Bangkok on October 29, 2026. The conference was organized with support from the Chinese Embassy in Thailand and the network of partners developing Confucius Institutes and Classrooms in Thailand. Phranakhon Rajabhat University's Maritime Silk Road Confucius Institute, its Research and Development Institute, and the Chinese Language Teachers Association of Thailand served as co-hosts, with Tarlac Agricultural University and Phranakhon Rajabhat University as supporting organizations. The event operates on the concept of using language as a bridge, ecosystems as a medium, and civilization as a spirit. Over 100 experts, academics, Confucius Institute representatives, Chinese language school educators, and media from Mekong-Lancang countries and neighboring nations participated to exchange ideas on linguistic connectivity, building shared ecosystems, and mutual civilizational learning.

Opening ceremony attendees included Somdet Phra Maha Ratchamangkalachan (Thongchai Thammachot), Chairman of the Maritime Silk Road Confucius Institute at Phranakhon Rajabhat University; Dr. Panphum Sakda-aruni, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation; Mr. Ni Yang, Minister Counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Thailand; Associate Professor Dr. Pheun Kijratanaphon, President of Phranakhon Rajabhat University; Dr. Warana Lolue-lae, President of the Chinese Language Teachers Association of Thailand; Professor Cui Xiliang, former President of Beijing Language and Culture University; researcher Xiao Wen, Director of the Interdisciplinary Center at Tarlac Agricultural University; Ms. Wang Xiaoyan, Deputy Director of the Center for Language Education and Cooperation Bangkok (CLEC-Bangkok); Professor Hu Ying, Chinese Director of the Maritime Silk Road Confucius Institute; Associate Professor Dr. Anankul Inthapadung, Thai Director of the Confucius Institute; and more than 10 senior executives from the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation. Representatives attended from China, Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

At the opening, Professor Hu Ying, Chinese Director of the Maritime Silk Road Confucius Institute, presented a project report, while Associate Professor Dr. Anankul Inthapadung, Thai Director, invited executives and distinguished guests to perform the official opening ceremony. Guests jointly conducted a flower arrangement ceremony symbolizing the blossoming together of "flowers of language," "flowers of ecosystem," and "flowers of civilization" to paint a picture of diverse and beautiful development progress in the Mekong-Lancang region. Associate Professor Dr. Pheun Kijratanaphon, President of Phranakhon Rajabhat University, delivered the first welcome address, stating the university is ready to leverage this academic conference as a driving force for higher education institutions' roles in language education management and academic exchange.