Recently, a delegation led by Ms. Pasupha Chinvarasopak, Minister-Counsellor of the Royal Thai Embassy in China, and Dr. Wiphu Rujopakarn, Director of the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT), visited SOA for a working meeting on future cooperation. Mr. Yang Zongyi, Deputy Director of HIT’s International Cooperation Division, Professor Zhang Xinghong, Dean of SOA, Deputy Party Secretary Ming Lin, Associate Dean Zhi Xiyang, and faculty representatives from related research fields attended the meeting. Representatives from the Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics and the National Astronomical Observatories, both of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, also joined the discussions.

On behalf of the School, Associate Dean Zhi Xiyang extended a warm welcome to the Thai delegation. Faculty representatives presented the School’s key research strengths and major ongoing projects in areas including microsatellite technology, deep-space exploration, astronomical observation, space payloads, and data processing. They also reaffirmed their commitment to expanding long-term collaboration within the framework of the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (APSCO).

Minister-Counsellor Pasupha Chinvarasopak outlined Thailand’s strategy for developing its space industry and its national space program. Dr. Wiphu Rujopakarn introduced Thailand’s progress in developing astronomical observation facilities, carrying out space science missions, and building its domestic aerospace workforce. In light of Thailand’s priorities in astronomical observation, small satellite development, and space environment exploration, he proposed several potential areas for collaboration. Faculty members and researchers from both countries then held in-depth discussions on joint research projects, joint master’s and doctoral training, short-term faculty and student exchanges, and the co-development of satellite payloads. They explored practical mechanisms for advancing these initiatives and reached agreement on a number of concrete areas of cooperation.

At the conclusion of the meeting, and in the presence of all participants, SOA and NARIT signed a MoU, establishing a framework for sustained cooperation in aerospace and astronomical research, as well as student and researcher development, between China and Thailand.

The visit further strengthened the partnership between SOA and Thailand’s leading aerospace research institutions. It also represents an important step in the School’s efforts to broaden its partnerships across ASEAN and advance its internationalization strategy. The visit has laid a solid foundation for future China–Thailand intergovernmental research initiatives and expanded faculty, researcher, and student exchanges.

一审：宋子畅

二审：陈东萍

三审：智喜洋