HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand visited the High Energy Photon Source (HEPS), a major national science and technology infrastructure in Beijing, on April 13.

CAO Jun, director of the Institute of High Energy Physics (IHEP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, welcomed the Princess and expressed his appreciation for her longstanding attention to science and technology. He highlighted that the Princess’s previous visits to IHEP, which have showcased the institute's growth and the strengthening of China-Thailand collaboration in high energy physics.

The Princess’ engagement with IHEP dates back to 2011,when she toured the Beijing Electron Positron Collider, China’s first large science facility. In 2017, she witnessed the signing of cooperation agreements between IHEP and three Thai universities, which significantly advanced cooperation in both neutrino and collider experiments. Her most recent visit in 2023 included the Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO) in Guangdong. CAO expressed hope that this fourth visit to HEPS would further enhance bilateral cooperation in synchrotron radiation light sources and strengthen ties between the two nations.

During her visit, DONG Yuhui, deputy director of IHEP, provided a briefing on the progress of HEPS construction. As Asia's first fourth-generation synchrotron radiation light source, HEPS is designed to produce the world's brightest light and accommodate 90 beamlines. The accelerator complex and initial beamline installations have been completed over the last five years, with joint commissioning commencing on March 27. HEPS is on track to achieve preliminary operational status this year, promoting scientific collaboration across Asia.

After the briefing, the Princess toured the accelerator complex and beamlines, engaging with researchers about the facility’s development and research capabilities. She expressed her admiration for HEPS' achievements and expressed hopes for enhanced multifaceted cooperation and exchanges between Thailand and China based on this cutting-edge light source.

The visit included participation from WANG Yifang, Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, WANG Zhenyu, Deputy Director-General of the Bureau of International Cooperation, and WU Jun, Counselor of the Department of Asian Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, alongside other leaders and staff members.

The Princess toured the storage ring of HEPS. (Credit: IHEP)

The Princess toured the beamline of HEPS. (Credit: IHEP)