President’s speech and visit demonstrate vision of peace
Chinese President Xi Jinping’s speech at the 29th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting and his visit to Thailand have demonstrated his vision for peace and development and China’s intentions for a regional community, officials and business leaders said.
“China has made a great contribution to the achievement of the Bangkok Goals on Bio-Circular-Green Economy’s drafting process,” said Cherdchai Chaivaivid, director-general of international economic affairs at Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Thailand’s senior official for APEC.
Cherdchai told a media briefing in Bangkok that China has played “a very big role” in supporting Thailand’s priorities since the start.
“As part of and on behalf of my team, I believe that we couldn’t make it without the great contribution by China,” he said.
In his speech on Friday, Xi said China will provide support for the implementation of the Bangkok Goals on Bio-Circular-Green Economy adopted in the leaders’ joint statement.
Commenting on Xi’s call for “striving for green and low-carbon development and ensuring a clean and beautiful Asia-Pacific”, Trip Kirtiputra, public relations officer with the Thai energy conglomerate Bangchak Corporation, said his company has also benefited from digital and green cooperation with Chinese companies to provide solutions for local infrastructure.
“There are a lot of areas that we can actually learn and share with each other, because China has one of the best integrated IT solutions for the common people that I think could still greatly benefit our (business),” said Trip, adding that his company is keen to bring new technologies to the general public as much as possible.
In 2020 Bangchak launched the e-bike rental service startup Winnonie, which uses a platform and automated battery-swapping system designed by Thai engineers. It also uses Nio EV motorcycles made in China.
Noting that Chinese electric vehicles are popular in Thailand, Trip said if Thailand and China can transfer and exchange know-how to work together in the sector, it will lead to “a brighter future for this industry”.
International fairness
To achieve the goals, Xi emphasized: “We must join hands together to build an Asia-Pacific community with a shared future and take Asia-Pacific cooperation to a new height.”
To that end, his first proposal is “upholding international fairness and justice and building an AsiaPacific of peace and stability”.
“What President Xi offers is a great idea,” said Vikrom Kromadit, founder and chief executive of the industrial estate developer Amata Corporation, and chairman of the Thailand-China Business Council. “He offers peace in the area first, how to make all the countries in the region have peace. I think peace is the most important thing.
“President Xi offered this because the Chinese can work peacefully in the country,” said Vikrom, noting that a stable environment in China has contributed to its rapid development in recent decades.
Moreover, Xi stresses China’s further opening up and high-quality development that is creating opportunities for businesses outside China.
Vikrom said China is the largest market for other countries, including Thailand and other neighbors.
“We would like to be the first one who will be going to China to visit all our Chinese friends very soon after they open the door,” said Vikrom.