BEIJING – His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen visited the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, where China fired a 21-gun salute at Tiananmen Square, a gesture symbolizing the highest level of respect. During the royal audience with the President of the People’s Republic of China and his wife, Their Majesties expressed their pleasure at the opportunity to visit Beijing, noting the city’s remarkable progress and beauty. They also conveyed delight and pride in the close friendship between Thailand and China, emphasizing the strong exchanges and numerous joint activities the two nations have undertaken.
On Friday, 14 November 2025, at 10:35 a.m. local time, Their Majesties proceeded to the Great Hall of the People via the east plaza. President Xi Jinping and Professor Peng Liyuan, accompanied by senior Chinese officials, welcomed the royal couple.
His Majesty then ascended the ceremonial platform alongside President Xi to receive military honors. The honor guard paid respects as the band performed the Royal Anthem of Thailand followed by China’s national anthem. China fired a 21-gun salute at Tiananmen Square—an international military protocol reserved for significant state occasions. The commander of the honor guard then reported formally and invited His Majesty to inspect the troops in Mandarin Chinese.
Their Majesties, accompanied by President Xi, reviewed the honor guard. As they passed a line of Chinese children waiting to greet them, the children waved Thai and Chinese flags along with bouquets of flowers. His Majesty smiled and waved back warmly. Their Majesties then returned to the platform to observe the military parade and ceremonial formations by the military band before entering the Great Hall of the People.
During the subsequent royal audience with President Xi and his wife, Their Majesties reiterated their appreciation for the opportunity to visit and praised the city’s development and beauty. They expressed pride in the exceptionally close friendship between Thailand and China and the broad cooperation that continues to strengthen both nations.
President Xi remarked that His Majesty choosing China as the first country for an official visit reflects Thailand’s emphasis on the China–Thailand relationship and symbolizes the deep bond between the two nations under the concept “China and Thailand are one family.”
Their Majesties later proceeded to the East Hall, granting an audience to Premier Li Qiang and senior government officials of the People’s Republic of China. They engaged in cordial conversation before allowing the delegation to take an official photograph with Their Majesties.
At the conclusion of the engagements, Their Majesties returned to the China World Hotel, Beijing, their residence during the visit. The Great Hall of the People, located west of Tiananmen Square, opened in September 1959 as part of the “Ten Great Buildings” project marking the 10th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. It stands as a symbol of national prestige and serves as China’s key venue for diplomatic events, official state visits, and national celebrations attended by heads of state and senior leaders.
During this royal visit, Their Majesties will lay a wreath at the Monument to the People’s Heroes at Tiananmen Square and visit several important sites in Beijing, including Lingguang Temple, the Beijing Humanoid Robotics Innovation Center, the Education Technology and Resources Development Center, the China Academy of Space Technology, the China Astronaut Research and Training Center, and the Beijing Aerospace Control Center.
