Somkid backing for embattled Lam
Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak yesterday voiced moral support for Hong Kong’s embattled chief executive Carrie Lam, saying the semi-autonomous region of China remains full of potential despite ongoing protests.
In his keynote speech at a forum on the future of the GuangdongHong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area held in Hong Kong which Ms Lam also attended, Mr Somkid said he was participating in the event for two purposes.
The first was to give moral support to Ms Lam, a close and respected friend, while Hong Kong experiences difficult times with social conflict as had also happened in the past in Thailand.
“Thais including myself are confident in the potential of Hong Kong and believe Hong Kong will soon recover. Thailand will be a true friend and always support Hong Kong.”
The second purpose, he said, is to strengthen relations between Thailand and the Greater Bay Area.
“We perceive that in the past three years the political and economic climate of the world has not been bright because US policy has affected the global order, both politically and economically, and the issues have not been settled over the short term,” he said.
“The trade war has affected world trade which enjoyed continued growth in the past and helped upgrade [people’s] living standards in developing countries,” he added.
However, he said the economic slowdown in the past two years where many Asian countries have been struggling to maintain economic growth, also could offer new opportunities.
“We could see positive change toward closer cooperation in Asia since many countries have experienced delicate issues and implemented serious reform to strengthen their competitiveness,” he said.
HONG KONG: Despite ongoing protests in Hong Kong, Thailand remains confident about the potential of Hong Kong as a gateway for Thailand and Asean to the Greater Bay Area (GBA), says Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak.
In his keynote speech at a forum titled “Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay: New Horizon for China’s Reform and Opening Up of One Country, Two Systems”, Mr Somkid said yesterday although Hong Kong is dealing with social conflict, as happened in Thailand, he and Thailand are still upbeat about the potential of Hong Kong. He believes the territory will recover soon.
“Thailand will always be a true friend and support Hong Kong, and I am confident the cooperation will benefit Asia,” said Mr Somkid.
He expects the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) to be concluded soon while China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) will help enhance fair and inclusive trade.
The BRI has signed pacts with 122 countries to participate in expansion to all regions of the world, especially Asean, not only a large market and supply chain for China, but also the potential centre of the RCEP.
Mr Somkid said the BRI represents a key step in becoming a technology and innovation global leader, which may end up incubating unicorns and creating a hub for finance and logistics.
He said China and Thailand have the same aim: building the BRI, as required by President Xi Jinping.
Thailand has a commitment to make Asean an outstanding region and reduce income disparity, said Mr Somkid.
“In the past 4-5 years, Thailand has not only laid the foundation but also strengthened economic growth, to reduce income disparity, to strengthen competitiveness ranging from infrastructure development, improving ease of doing business, and establishing the Eastern Economic Corridor [EEC], and upgrading the quality of life,” he said.
“The EEC will become a production base and logistics hub in the subregion, which is already connected to the GBA, which is part of the BRI.”
Mr Somkid expects by 2020, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and Thailand will become a single economy, which can integrate the sub-region into the world supply chain.
Hong Kong chief executive Carrie Lam said although the protests have affected Hong Kong’s economy, the special administrative region is confident it can turn the crisis into opportunity through cooperation.
She wants to maintain and strengthen Hong Kong as a centre in four areas: finance; aviation; professional services; and resources, development and innovation.
By 2020, I expect Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and Thailand will become a single economy. SOMKID JATUSRIPITAK Deputy Prime Minister