The Nishan Forum on World Civilizations was held in China Cultural Center in Bangkok, Thailand, on Nov 13. This year's forum theme was "Confucianism, Buddhism and Sino-Thailand Cultural Exchanges".

The forum was part of the "2015 Shandong Cultural Exchange Year in Thailand", which is supported by China's Ministry of Culture. The cultural exchange year will be characterized by various performances, exhibitions and forums to highlight cultural interactions between Thailand and China's Shandong province.

Addressing the forum, Vishanu Krua-ngam, deputy prime minister of Thailand, said, "China and Thailand enjoy cultural affinity and close exchanges. The Chinese Confucian culture has much influenced Thailand's culture and customs".

"China and Thailand are like a family", said Ning Fukui, Chinese ambassador to Thailand.

Nishan Forum on World Civilization, named for China's ancient thinker Confucius' hometown of Nishan, is established to promote cultural and academic exchanges among different civilizations in the world.

"The Nishan Forum shows China is willing to communicate with other countries in more than just one, namely the economic sector," said Zhao Qizheng, former chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee and former minister of the State Council Information Office, in a closing speech at the Third Nishan Forum on World Civilizations held in Jinan, Shandong, in 2014.

Edited by Mevlut Katik

Vishanu Krua-ngam, deputy prime minister of Thailand, gives a speech at the Nishan Forum on World Civilizations held in Bangkok, Thailand, Nov 13. [Photo/people.cn]

Nishan Bookstore’s nameplate is unveiled in China Cultural Center in Bangkok, Thailand, Nov 13. [Photo/sdwht.gov.cn]