The International College of Digital Innovation at Chiang Mai University, along with the Railway Technology Research and Development Agency (Public Organization), recently embarked on a mission to gather crucial data and foster partnerships in Beijing, People's Republic of China, aimed at reshaping Thailand's rail system.
Led by Assistant Professor Dr. Rujira Ouncharoen, Dean of the International College of Digital Innovation (ICDI), and accompanied by Lecturer Dr. Piang-or Loahavilai, Associate Professor Dr. Nualnoi Treerat, and executives from the Railway Technology Research and Development Agency (Public Organization), the delegation journeyed to Beijing from April 23 to 28, 2024. Their objective: to advance a project centered on creating a logistics and supply chain management information system for the transportation of goods between China and Africa, Europe, Malaysia, and Singapore via Thailand's rail network. In the fiscal year 2024-2025, the International College of Digital Innovation is slated to undertake a series of activities focused on information gathering and partnership negotiations. This includes exploring transportation routes originating from China's major urban hubs, which presently serve as pivotal import-export centers. These routes extend from the People's Republic of China, traverse Laos, and culminate in Thailand. Additionally, the initiative involves soliciting feedback from stakeholders regarding the transition to utilizing Thai rail transport for exporting goods to Africa and Europe, leveraging the Ranong deep-sea port for southern routes leading to Malaysia and Singapore.
On April 24, 2024, a delegation from ICDI, led by Assistant Professor Dr. Rujira Ouncharoen, Dean, and Associate Professor Dr. Nualnoi Treerat, along with executives from the Railway Technology Research and Development Agency (Public Organization), visited the Royal Thai Embassy in Beijing, People's Republic of China.
During the visit, they had the honor of meeting Mr. Sittikorn Chantadansuwan, Minister Counsellor of the Royal Thai Embassy, Beijing to discuss the details of their project. Mr. Sittikorn Chantadansuwan, Advisor to the Ambassador, graciously provided insights into the current transportation and logistics landscape in China, Laos, and Thailand. He also offered valuable advice on coordinating information requests from the China Customs Brokers Association (CCBA).
Following their embassy visit, the delegation proceeded to engage in discussions and negotiate cooperation with the China Logistics Society and the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing (CFLP) at the CFLP headquarters in Beijing. CFLP, founded in 2001, serves as a pivotal organization in logistics, procurement, incubation, and supply chain management. Their primary mission is to promote the development of the logistics industry in China, advance government procurement and enterprise operations, drive reforms in production material circulation, and foster innovation and application in supply chain practices.
During the meeting, the delegation had productive discussions with the CFLP management team, which included:
1. Mr. Ren Haoxiang, Vice President of CFLP and President of China Logistics Society
2. Mr. Guo Zhaoming, Deputy Secretary-General of CFLP and Vice President of China Logistics Society
3. Mr. Zhang Xiaodong, Professor at Beijing Jiaotong University
4. Mr. Xiao Shuhuai, Director of the International Cooperation Department of CFLP
5. Mr. Li Junfeng, Director of the Education and Training Department of CFLP
6. Mr. Huang Ying, Education and Training Department of CFLP
7. Mr. Lv Yang, China Logistics Society
These discussions centered on the project's objectives, particularly the transportation of goods between China and Africa, Europe, Malaysia, and Singapore via the Thai rail system. During the discussions, Professor Zhang Xiaodong from Beijing Jiaotong University compared the strategic significance of the China Pan-Asian Railway Plan with the strategic importance of this railway route planning. He provided constructive and insightful recommendations.
Between April 25-27, 2024, the International College of Digital Innovation at Chiang Mai University, under the leadership of Assistant Professor Dr. Rujira Oncharoen, Dean, and accompanied by Professor Dr. Piang-or Loahavilai, Associate Professor Dr. Nualnoi Treerat, and executives from the Railway Technology Research and Development Agency (Public Organization), along with the working group, visited the China Enterprise News at the China Enterprise News at International Exchange Center to explore avenues for cooperation in surveying stakeholders for the transition to utilizing the Thai rail transportation system. During the visit, they had the opportunity to meet with key individuals, including:
1. Mr. Wang Siheng, Vice President and Chairman of China Enterprise News
2. Mr. Jin Zhanjie, Chairman of Dingyuan International Arts Center
3. Mr. Shi Xiaoling, Deputy General Manager of Beijing Enterprise Innovation Huidu Real Estate Development Co.,Ltd.
4. Mr. Jiang Jingang, China Enterprise News Group Consultant
5. Mr. Zhu Ying, Director of Corporate Property and Public Relations, China Enterprise News
6. Mr. Yang Ying, Director of the State-owned Enterprise Publicity of China Enterprise News
7. Mrs. Liu Yunbai, Assistant Director of the Government-Enterprise Cooperation Center of China Enterprise News
8. Mr. Wang Yinquan, Government-Enterprise Cooperation Center, China Enterprise News
9. Mr. Duo Ranwei, Southeast Asia Legal Representative, China Railway First Group Company
10. Mr. Hong Haiping, Marketing Director of International Business Division, China Railway First Group Company
11. Mr. Zhang Changlei, Commercial Manager, International Business Division, China Railway First Group Company
The delegation also paid a visit to the China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC Group), a conglomerate of engineering contracting and business development firms specializing in various infrastructure sectors, such as transportation projects encompassing rail systems, highways, aircraft, industrial facilities, and electrical networks. Discussions were held regarding the project objectives and potential collaboration opportunities.
Furthermore, they had the opportunity to meet with the China Customs Brokers Association (CCBA) at their conference room on the 5th floor. Assistant Professor Dr. Rujira Ouncharoen, the dean, provided a comprehensive overview of the project goals and engaged in negotiations regarding cooperation in acquiring shipping information within China. CCBA, entrusted by the Ministry of Education of China, is responsible for training and certifying customs brokers. It also serves as a guiding agency for national education in customs and trade, with a focus on developing industry standards and customs procedures. During the meeting, the delegation interacted with key executives and officials of the CCBA Association, including:
1. Mr. Zhang Peng, Secretary General of the China Customs Brokers Association
2. Mr. Wang Binbin, International Affairs Officer of the China Customs Brokers Association and representative of China's customs clearance network ETCN
3. Mr. HU Cong, General Manager
4. Mr. Qiang Bin, Vice- General Manager
5. Mr. Zhao Wenjun, Vice- General Manager
6. Ms. Wang Xiaoqing, Director of the Data Center
7. Ms. Yuan Chuanyan, Data Center Officer
The China Customs Brokers Association has expressed a positive attitude towards the project and has indicated willingness to deepen its cooperation with the International College of Digital Innovation. They have also expressed their intention to organize delegations from enterprises to conduct in-depth investigations into the supply chain system of this railway route in the future.
The delegation proceeded to visit the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), a renowned civil engineering firm in China and a subsidiary of the China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC), a Fortune Global 500 company established in 1979. CRCC operates as an international construction project company with ongoing projects spanning more than 110 countries, offering design consulting and construction services for railways, airports, ports, industrial parks, real estate developments, bridges, mining, and import-export ventures. Notably, CCECC plays a pivotal role in executing significant projects under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), such as the Novi Sad-Subotica Section of the Hungary-Serbia Railway, Ankara-Istanbul High-Speed Railway Phase II, and UAE Etihad Rail Stage II. Assistant Professor Dr. Rujira Ouncharoen, the Dean, elaborated on the project objectives and engaged in negotiations for potential cooperation with CCECC. The delegation met with key executives and officials of CCECC, including:
1. Mr. Wang Xiangdong, Vice President
2. Mr. Huang Quan, Deputy General Manager, CRCC International and Consulting Company
3. Mr. Lu Yong, Deputy General Manager, Overseas Business Dept. (Asia & Oceania)
4. Mr. Zhao Ji, Assistant General Manager of CCECC Business Operation Division CRCC International Rail Transit
5. Mr. Dong Shun, Operation Company Overseas Business Dept. (Asia & Oceania)
6. Mr. Zhang Chaoming, Business Development Manager
CCECC has shown deep concern about the progress of the construction of the Thai railway. They also hope to further sign a memorandum of cooperation with the International College of Digital Innovation in the future, providing professional academic support for CCECC's planning and research activities in the Thai market. Additionally, the delegation visited the ASEAN Innovation and Development Promotion Association, a collaborative partner of the International College of Digital Innovation, which has been instrumental in facilitating and coordinating various aspects of the project to develop entrepreneurial potential in member countries of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Round. Led by Mr. Shen Sunan, Chairman of the ASEAN Innovation and Development Promotion Association Board, the working group engaged in discussions and exchanged insights on the college's implemented projects. Furthermore, the group conducted a visit to the Beijingxi Railway Station to assess the area and compile comprehensive information on the current transportation of goods from the People's Republic of China. This initiative aimed to gather opinions on transitioning to utilizing the Thai rail transport system for transporting goods from China to countries in the Mekong Subregion, expanding Thailand's connectivity within the ASEAN economic landscape. As the China-Laos railway line connects to Thailand, it serves as a crucial link in enhancing regional connectivity, communication, transportation, and goods distribution, thereby fostering future trade and investment opportunities in the region.