On 12 June 2026, Khon Kaen University, in collaboration with the Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in Khon Kaen, the Baise Executive Leadership Academy of Guangxi, the Khon Kaen Provincial Office, and network partners, co-hosted the “China-Thailand Poverty Alleviation Management Cooperation Promotion Conference”. Associate Professor Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University, delivered the welcoming address. Key administrative perspectives and cooperation frameworks were shared by Mrs. Liu Hongmei, Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China in Khon Kaen; Mr. Chaiwat Chuntirakuk, Deputy Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Interior; Mr. Kajornkiet Rakpanichmanee, Governor of Khon Kaen Province; and Mr. Gao Yisong, Vice President of the Baise Executive Leadership Academy of Guangxi. The event attracted over 150 senior executives from the government, academic, and private sectors at the Peerakit Khamnuanศิลป์ Meeting Room, College of Local Administration, Khon Kaen University.
The conference aimed to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and practical management experiences in poverty reduction between Thailand and China. Furthermore, the initiative seeks to enhance the quality of life and drive rural revitalisation across the Northeast region of Thailand.
Mrs. Liu Hongmei, Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China in Khon Kaen, stated that since the implementation of the reform and opening-up policy in 1978, the People’s Republic of China has successfully lifted over 800 million people out of poverty, marking a significant milestone in national development. She emphasised that the core of successful poverty alleviation lies in precise and targeted administration, achieved through the promotion of specialised agriculture, rural tourism, and e-commerce to generate income and strengthen local communities. Additionally, the Consulate-General has partnered with networks in the Northeast to deploy experts for knowledge exchange and occupational support for vulnerable groups, including people with disabilities and the underprivileged, whilst promoting global partnerships to expand cooperation internationally.
On the same occasion, Associate Professor Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University, welcomed the delegates and highlighted the vital role of academic institutions in driving sustainable development. By integrating knowledge, research, and community engagement, universities can tangibly address poverty. Khon Kaen University places great emphasis on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles alongside generating positive societal impacts.
“This commitment has resulted in international recognition, with Khon Kaen University ranking first in Thailand for SDG 1: No Poverty in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings for three consecutive years, from 2022 to 2024. The University remains dedicated to forging partnerships with domestic and international networks to build a resilient society and reduce inequality in the long term,” stated the President.
Mr. Chaiwat Chuntirakuk, Deputy Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Interior, reflected that poverty alleviation cannot be achieved by a single agency but requires integrated collaboration from all sectors. He noted that poverty is neither an inherent DNA nor an unavoidable destiny if systematic and continuous actions are taken. The Ministry of Interior continues to uphold its mission to alleviate suffering and promote happiness by developing local working mechanisms in tandem with the public, private, academic, and civil sectors to create practical, implementable development models.
Meanwhile, Mr. Kajornkiet Rakpanichmanee, Governor of Khon Kaen Province, remarked that this conference served as a crucial opportunity to learn from the successful models of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. These insights can be appropriately adapted to the contexts of Khon Kaen Province and the broader Northeast region to stimulate economic and social development, thereby creating new opportunities for local citizens.
Mr. Gao Yisong, Vice President of the Baise Executive Leadership Academy of Guangxi, emphasised that the ultimate key to overcoming poverty is human development and fostering collective awareness. He shared insights from Baise City in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, which successfully transformed remote areas into thriving hubs for agricultural production and robust community innovation. The Academy aims to deepen academic and research collaboration with Khon Kaen University to promote the transfer of innovation, technology, and administrative knowledge to local areas, leading to poverty reduction strategies tailored to the Thai social context.
This Sino-Thai cooperation conference reflects the combined efforts of the government, academia, and international organisations in translating China’s successful lessons into practice within Northeastern Thailand, a region facing ongoing socio-economic challenges. This partnership is set to expand into academic cooperation, joint research, personnel development, and community innovation transfers to diminish social disparity and elevate the standard of living, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals and the shared vision of both nations.
News: Jiraporn Pratoomchai, and Korkun Rianthong (Internship Students in Southeast Asian Studies, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences) Photography: Attapong Hampong
