"Mr. China, how did you do it?" Korn Dabbaransi, president of Thai-Chinese Friendship Association exclaimed while recalling his impressions of the changes that have happened in China over the past decades.
Korn visited China in 1975 for the first time, when he was still working for the Foreign Ministry of Thailand. Speaking of his memories of Beijing at that time, he said that there were only a few cars. The streets were crowded with bicycles and people wearing blue and green.
"Last month, I went to Beijing again, for another meeting. I went to stand in front of the Beijing Hotel, at exactly the same spot where I stood 44 years ago. Looking around myself, and I had to ask: 'Mr. China, how did you do it?'" Korn said while receiving an interview with the media delegation for "Celebrate China @ 70."
Korn Dabbaransi, president of Thai-Chinese Friendship Association, poses for a photo with Zhang Yong, deputy director-general of the Cyberspace Administration of China's News and Communications Bureau. /Photo courtesy of Feng Minghui
Korn said he prefers to describe China's growth during the past years as "economic evolution" instead of just ordinary development.
He also talked about how he was shocked by the great changes that have happened in Shenzhen. When he first visited the city, it was still a small fishing village, but in about 40 years, it is now the capital for high-tech companies and a Chinese version of Silicon Valley.
Korn attributed the achievements to the leadership of China, from Deng Xiaoping to Xi Jinping, and saying that with their consistent emphasis on economic development and innovation, China has created an economic miracle.
Korn Dabbaransi, president of Thai-Chinese Friendship Association, is in an interview. /CGTN Photo
He mentioned that he was also impressed by Chinese President Xi Jinping's plan of lifting all Chinese people out of poverty by 2020.
"I believe he can accomplish that. He can do it," said Korn, while instantly calling what happened in China a miracle.
As the head of the Thai-Chinese Friendship Association, Korn said that he values people-to-people exchanges between China and Thailand as well. It is also an important channel to creating friendship, aside from the government-level exchanges, said Korn.
Editor: Ai Yan
Videographer: Ren Qian, Marc Parisel
Video editor: Wang Yulian
Graphic designer: Gao Hongmei