Chinese space agencies, tech firms showcase innovations at Thailand Space Expo

Multiple Chinese space agencies and aerospace technology enterprises showcased their cutting-edge innovations and engaged in discussions with global experts at the Thailand Space Expo 2025 in Bangkok, running from Thursday to Saturday.

The annual event, hosted by Thailand's Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA), serves as a vital platform to highlight emerging technologies, promote collaboration, and showcase the capabilities of the space industry.

The expo also organized seminars on themes like "Forging New Frontiers: China's Deep Space Program and Shared Human Endeavors," and "Bridging Horizons of Satellite Remote Sensing Applications: China-Southeast Asia Collaboration". They gathered experts and scholars from the China National Space Administration, Chinese aerospace technology enterprises, and higher education institutions for extensive exchanges and discussions with experts from various countries.

Pakorn Apaphant, executive director of GISTDA, hailed the development of China's space industry and expressed the hope to deepen aerospace cooperation with China.

"We have conducted multiple space cooperation projects with China, for example, China's Chang'e Project. Thailand has also obtained opportunities to participate in the development of related equipment. We are cooperating with multiple Chinese institutions to develop satellite projects. Both sides have substantive cooperation in satellite data sharing. For example, in the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation project, [China] shares satellite data services with Southeast Asian countries. China's progress in space technology is truly admirable. I sincerely hope that the cooperation between Thailand and China in the space field will continue to deepen," he said.

This expo serves not only as a platform for technological display but also as a venue for promoting the application of aerospace technology achievements to support sustainable social development.

Representatives of participating Chinese high-tech enterprises said that they are actively expanding overseas markets, connecting China's independently developed advanced technologies with global partners.

"We are now utilizing remote sensing big data from Earth observation to respond to disaster emergencies and disaster management. Using this data and our own algorithms, we conduct risk identification, risk monitoring, and risk management for global disasters. By applying China's independently developed advanced satellite remote sensing technology, we are practically helping other countries enhance their disaster emergency response and risk control capabilities," said Li Jiping, representative of a Chinese exhibitor at the event.

Chinese space agencies, tech firms showcase innovations at Thailand Space Expo

A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.

Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.

In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.

"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.

Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.

In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.

"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.

By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.

After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.

"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.

Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.

As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.

Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media