We turn now to a Chinese program to strengthen vocational education abroad. It's called the Luban Workshop and the first country to take part was Thailand. Chaowarat Yongjiranon reports from the Thai city of Ayutthaya.

There is a buzz of excitement at Ayutthaya Technical College as students make their way to classes at the Luban Workshop. Jaraspong is one of the students happy to be back in class.

JARASPONG MAILIANG Student, Luban Workshop "Learning doesn't just happen in the classroom. For some of the devices, we can try using them right away by simply asking permission from the teachers. When you have hands-on experience with the equipment, you get hooked on learning."

Since its establishment as the first overseas Luban Workshop on March 8, 2016, the workshop has been at the forefront of innovating vocational education in Thailand, and around the world. Named after the revered Chinese craftsman, Lu Ban, the workshop reflects the strong relationship between China and Thailand.

This collaboration began after Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn visited North China's Tianjin to learn about vocational education. Ayutthaya Technical College was one of the institutes that followed the princess's advice to visit Tianjin. After several talks, Thailand was chosen to be the first country to run a Luban Workshop.

Jarun Youbrum, was the Ayutthaya Technical College director at the time. He says the decision reflected the longstanding relationship Thailand has with China.

JARUN YOUBRUM Former Director, Ayutthaya Technical College "It was decided that the first Luban Workshop Center would be set up here at the Ayutthaya Technical College. Thailand has an advantageous geographical location and we have a large Thai-Chinese population."

With the support from the Tianjin Municipal Education Commission, the workshop has continued to receive assistance from Tianjin Bohai Vocational Technical College and Tianjin Railway Technical and Vocational College. The five main courses range from the Internet of Things to Computer Numerical Control.

In the past five years, over 1,000 students have attended the workshop and more than 8,000 college students from ASEAN countries have participated in exchanges. Seventy Thai students have received scholarships to study in China.

Over the years, the Luban Workshop has won many competitions as the facility offers up-to-date equipment.

SATTAWAT SODSAI Teacher, Luban Workshop "We have quite a complete collection of automation machinery because when it comes to teaching or competing, this equipment is used to test the skills of students at an international standardized level."

CHAOWARAT YONGJIRANON Ayutthaya, Thailand "The Luban Workshop is the only educational institute here in Thailand to have exclusive equipment such as this, a centralized traffic control simulator and what is exciting is, the workshop is expected to expand even further."

There is now talk of adding the study of agriculture innovation, whereby expertise and technology from China will be shared to Thailand.

This is definitely good news for students like Jaraspong, who cannot wait to play a part in innovating Thailand and the world. Chaowarat Yongiranon, CGTN, Ayutthaya.