The lunar samples brought to Earth by China's Chang'e 5 spacecraft have captivated visitors at a fair in Bangkok, Thailand's capital city, sparking awe and enthusiasm for the future of space discovery.
It is the first time that China has exhibited lunar sample abroad, made possible through a collaboration between the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand and China National Space Administration (CNSA).
The sample, weighing 75 milligrams, is being shown at the SCI Power for Future Thailand Fair at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center from July 22 to 28.
Visitors have expressed delight at seeing the lunar sample for the first time.
"I am so happy to see something so amazing! I was so excited to see what moon soil would look like," said Navaporn Pheansirikul, a nine-year-old student.
"My kids are interested in astronomy so that is why I decided to bring them here to learn more about it. I hope that this experience will inspire them when they think about what they want to do when they grow up," said Kittipat Sarakitipan, a visitor.
As a leader in astronomy in Southeast Asia, Thailand is actively working with the CNSA as it joins the International Lunar Research Station program to develop its own astronomy program.
China's Chang'e-7 lunar exploration mission, to be launched around 2026, will have onboard a Thailand-developed global space weather monitoring device, which is designed to observe cosmic radiation and space weather from the lunar perspective.
"Looking to the future, we would like to work with China on developing some instruments for studying Mars, asteroids, and comets as well," said Saran Phshyachinda, executive director of the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand.
China's Chang'e-5 lunar samples showcased abroad for first time in Thailand
The 2024 Shanghai-Taipei City Forum opened on Tuesday in Taipei, with memorandums of cooperation signed in the field of smart health care and on the exchange and conservation of red pandas.
Addressing the opening ceremony, Hua Yuan, deputy mayor of Shanghai, said that the theme of this year's forum -- "Smart governance, sustainable future" -- reflects how people from both cities eagerly anticipate integrated development, as well as their expectations for the future of urban growth. He expressed the hope that the two cities would use this forum as an opportunity to deepen practical cooperation in areas such as transportation, water management, health care and the environment.
He also encouraged people from Taiwan and Shanghai to visit each other's cities, and announced that Shanghai would promote group tours to Taiwan.
"I sincerely invite the residents of Taipei and compatriots in Taiwan to visit Shanghai more often. Of course, I also hope that residents in Shanghai will visit Taiwan and Taipei. To this end, Shanghai will actively promote group tours for Shanghai residents to Taiwan, and the tour routes will definitely include Taipei City," said Hua.
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an said that more cross-Strait communication is needed in tense and difficult times, Chiang said, noting that increasing understanding is far better than increasing misunderstanding.
"Taipei and Shanghai have worked together to ensure the continuity of the twin cities forum, which has never been suspended due to the pandemic or changes in the cross-Strait atmosphere. I often say that the more tense and challenging the situation is, the more important communication becomes. Increasing understanding is far better than increasing misunderstanding. This belief remains unchanged for me. I would also like to thank Shanghai for upholding the same belief and continuing to engage with Taipei," said Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an.
At three sub-forums, representatives of both cities shared their experience and engaged in in-depth discussions on topics such as friendly transportation cooperation, river management and the construction of culturally vibrant cities.
Since its inception in 2010, the forum has served as a vital platform for dialogue, with Shanghai and Taipei signing 47 memorandums of exchange and cooperation to date.
Annual Shanghai-Taipei City Forum opens in Taipei
