China-Thailand Nature Education Center Officially Launched
On November 7, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Thailand, the China-Thailand Nature Education Center was officially launched in Phang Nga Province, Thailand. The center was jointly funded and designed by FIO and the Beijing Entrepreneurs’ Foundation for Environmental Protection, in collaboration with the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Thailand and Tongbo Middle School. It represents another significant achievement in marine ecological conservation cooperation between the two sides, aiming to establish a new marine science education base and exchange platform to provide long-term, high-quality nature education for local youth and community members.
The launch ceremony was attended by over 210 participants, including representatives from the collaborating institutions of both China and Thailand, local government and community representatives from Phang Nga, as well as teachers and students from Thonburi Bamrung School and neighboring schools. The inauguration of the center marks the extension of China-Thailand cooperation in mangrove conservation from ecological protection and scientific research to a new phase of public education and science communication.
Following the launch ceremony, the "first lesson" of the center was delivered by CONG Bolin, the project lead and a researcher from FIO, who provided an accessible explanation of the crucial ecological value of mangroves in mitigating wind and waves and maintaining biodiversity, while also sharing successful cases of mangrove conservation and community collaborative development in China. Dr. Disawong, Director of the Innovation and Coordination Division at Thailand’s Mangrove Research and Development Institute, elaborated on the unique physiological characteristics and representative tree species of mangroves. The students expressed their satisfaction with the session, noting that they had gained new knowledge and developed a deeper appreciation for the importance of mangroves and their role in supporting aquatic life.
The center is located within the China-Thailand Mangrove Joint Conservation Demonstration Zone in Phang Nga Bay, established in 2024. Phang Nga Bay is home to Thailand’s largest and best-preserved mangrove ecosystem. Since the inauguration of the China-Thailand Mangrove Joint Conservation Demonstration Zone, the two sides have achieved a series of collaborative outcomes, including vulnerability assessments of mangroves.
Researcher CONG Bolin emphasized that raising public awareness of ecological conservation, particularly among youth, is key to achieving sustainable ecological protection. He noted that the launch of the center not only commemorates the profound friendship between China and Thailand on the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations but will also serve as a vital platform for nature education cooperation between the two countries.
Dr. Disawong expressed gratitude for China’s support in establishing the center. She stated that the collaborative research on mangrove vulnerability assessment has provided important scientific evidence for Thailand’s mangrove conservation and management policies. The launch of the center, she added, will offer a valuable platform for local youth to learn about the diversity of mangrove ecosystems and relevant conservation experiences.
The China-Thailand Nature Education Center represents another practical achievement under the framework of the China-Thailand Joint Laboratory on Climate and Marine Ecosystems. Moving forward, both sides will leverage this platform to carry out regular science education activities, explore community-engaged ecological conservation models, contribute Chinese and Thai wisdom to global ocean governance, and jointly build a maritime community with a shared future.
Launch ceremony
Group photo
CONG Bailin delivers lectures