Diplomats from South and Southeast Asian countries stopped in Kunming, Yunnan province, on Friday to sample the region's coffee at the 2026 Dianchi International Coffee Culture Carnival.
Running from Aug 1 to 9, the carnival brought together more than 200 specialty coffee trucks, with two main venues on the eastern and western shores of Dianchi Lake and eight additional venues across the city.
Bhavivarn Noraphallop, consul general of Thailand in Kunming, made her own cup of coffee at the event. She expressed the importance of the industry in Yunnan, saying that there is considerable potential for cooperation between Thailand and the province. "Kunming is well-known in Thailand, attracting many Thai tourists each year," she said.
Kongphachanh Chandavong, consul of Laos in Kunming, echoed those sentiments and pointed to the growing number of Lao tourists who are choosing to visit Kunming, Lijiang, Dali, and Xishuangbanna.
The diplomats also visited the nearby Dianchi Lake. Bhavivarn said that she lives close to the lake and has witnessed the improvements in its water quality and the surrounding ecological environment over the years.
"Dianchi Lake's ecological health is improving, and Yunnan province is making remarkable strides in environmental conservation overall," said Chandavong.
