The deputy mayor of China’s city of Hubei visited Pattaya to sign a sister-city relationship, aiming to facilitate cooperation in finance, trade, science, culture and education.
Shao Weimin signed the agreement Oct. 24 with Pattaya Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome to improve Thailand and Pattaya’s international relations. The Wuhan province official was accompanied by a half dozen of Wuhan’s government leaders responsible for commerce, international trade and international affairs.
Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome presents the ceremonial key to the city to Hubei, China Deputy Mayor Shao Weimin.
Shao and his entourage discussed various matters with Pattaya’s administrators during their Oct. 22-24 visit.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had informed Pattaya officials in advance that Wuhan province has considerable importance, ranking fourth among mid-sized provinces with gross domestic product of up to $329 billion.
Currently, many countries have built large consulates in Wuhan, including the U.S., South Korea, France and the UK. Wuhan and Thailand have collaborated on projects before and HRH Princess Sirindhorn has visited Wuhan many times. Currently there are five flights a day from Thailand to Wuhan. In 2013, 150,000 Wuhan residents traveled to Thailand.
Kunplome detailed for the Hubei deputy mayor Pattaya’s role as a tourism center and discussed ways to strengthen financial ties for continuous development.
