Thailand sends its national youth team to compete against China’s top rising stars in table tennis, celebrating 50 years of Thai-Chinese relations.
The Thailand-China Youth Table Tennis Friendship Trophy 2025 opened, marking 50 years of diplomatic relations. Thailand fielded its 2025 national youth team to compete against 25 elite young players from China. Attakorn Sirilattayakorn, Minister of Tourism and Sports, said this match not only strengthens diplomatic ties but also offers a valuable opportunity for athletes from both countries to develop their skills.
Attakorn Sirilattayakorn, Minister of Tourism and Sports, presided over the Thailand-China Youth Table Tennis Friendship Trophy 2025 at KIS Reignwood Park International School on 6 Dec 2025 GMT+7. The event was attended by Zhang Jianwei, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Thailand; Natthawut Ruangves, President of the Table Tennis Association of Thailand; Woraponit Ruayrungrueng, CEO of Reignwood Group; Zhang Wei, representative of the Reignwood Culture Foundation Beijing; and youth athletes from both countries.
The atmosphere was lively. After speeches from officials and representatives of both countries, Minister Attakorn played table tennis with Ambassador Zhang Jianwei. Then "Tip" Orrawan Paranang, an Olympian and member of Thailand’s national team for the 2025 SEA Games, played a friendly match against Fan Siqi, a Chinese national team player and former world No. 36 ITTF champion. Ten sets of ping pong tables and sports equipment were then donated to local schools to support the "Healthy Nation for a Strong Country" project.
Minister Attakorn Sirilattayakorn stated that the 2025 Thailand-China Youth Table Tennis Friendship Trophy is an event that strengthens cooperation between Thailand and China on the occasion of 50 years of diplomatic relations. This event is organized through cooperation among the Reignwood Culture Foundation Beijing, the Table Tennis Association of Thailand, Shaanxi Sports Group, the Reignwood Foundation (Thailand), and KIS Reignwood Park International School, aiming to elevate the competition to an international youth level for both countries.
“The competition, held on 6–7 Dec, enjoys full cooperation from both countries. China selected 25 top players from over 600 candidates from Wuhan and Xi'an to compete against Thailand’s 2025 national youth team in men’s team, women’s team, men’s doubles, and women’s doubles categories, showcasing elite youth talent from both nations. There were also cultural performances, a photo exhibition on the history of Thai-Chinese table tennis exchanges, and donations of sports equipment to local schools to encourage Thai youth to seize new opportunities through sports,” Minister Attakorn concluded.