China Tourism Day festival held in Bangkok to promote travel ties

A "5.19 China Tourism Day" themed festival was held in Bangkok from Friday to Sunday, engaging Thai and Chinese officials, travel trade professionals, and visitors in exchanges and activities to promote tourism between the two countries.

The event, supported by the Chinese Embassy in Thailand and the Chongqing Municipal Culture and Tourism Development Commission and jointly organized by the Bangkok Tourism Office and the China Culture and Entertainment Association, is part of the celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of China-Thailand diplomatic relations.

With the slogan "Nihao (hello), China," the festival featured tourism exhibitions, a short video competition, and a smart tourism forum, showcasing the diverse appeal and resources of China's inbound tourism.

Chinese Ambassador to Thailand Han Zhiqiang addressed the opening ceremony, inviting more Thai tourists to visit China and experience its authentic, modern, and captivating charm.

Sorawong Thienthong, Minister of Tourism and Sports of Thailand, said this event has built an important platform for the Thai people to understand China's tourism resources, adding Thailand is willing to work with China to promote the continued expansion of mutual tourism visits.

"China is Thailand's largest source of tourists, while the number of Thai tourists visiting China continues to grow. This not only strengthens tourism cooperation but also lays a more solid foundation for building a China-Thailand community with a shared future," said Sorawong.

During the event, representatives from smart tourism enterprises in both countries held a roundtable discussion on digital cultural tourism trends.

The third "I Want to Visit China" short video competition was also launched, providing Thai youths with a new platform to learn about China.

"Last year, I participated in the second 'I Want to Visit China' short video competition and was invited to visit Wuhan. I was thrilled to taste local food, experience Chinese culture, and see modern China, including autonomous vehicles and high-speed rail. The modern China is very different from what we imagined. I will encourage my friends to join this year's competition," said Tampa, a Thai travel blogger and former competition participant.

China Tourism Day festival held in Bangkok to promote travel ties

Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodriguez said on Sunday that the country is at a critical stage and must achieve national unity, emphasizing that maintaining internal cohesion is of utmost importance.

In a televised address, Rodriguez called on the public to continue trusting the government under the current highly complex political circumstances.

Her statement comes in the wake of a January 3 military operation conducted by the United States, during which Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife were taken into custody and flown out of the country.

The operation resulted in at least 100 fatalities.

Rodriguez, who was sworn in as acting president two days later on January 5, framed her appeal for unity against this backdrop of external intervention.

Meanwhile, Venezuelan Minister of Communication and Information Freddy Nanez denounced the U.S. actions as a "war crime of the 21st century" when speaking at an international cultural event on Sunday.

Nanez condemned not only the January 3 airstrikes but also the associated cyber and electromagnetic attacks.

He accused the United States of violating international law through the forced removal of President Maduro and his wife, while attacks on civilian infrastructure, including medical facilities, represent a flagrant breach of humanitarian norms.

He reiterated that the stigmatization and military attacks against Venezuela are driven by economic interests, particularly the desire to control its abundant natural resources.

Venezuelan acting president calls for national unity amid complex situation