PM braces for Brics summit

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will attend the Emerging Markets and Development Countries Dialogue (EMDCD) at the 9th Brics summit in Xiamen, China, to push forward regional development efforts.

They include sustainable development schemes, infrastructure development, and regional connectivity, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Busadee Santipitak said.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during a visit to Thailand last month extended the invitation to Gen Prayut to join the dialogue which will be held during the Brics summit.

The Brics Summit, a meeting involving the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, will be held from Sunday to Tuesday.

China has i nvited Egypt, Guinea, Tajikistan, Mexico and Thailand as guest countries for the upcoming summit.

Ms Busadee said China’s invitation reflects the importance of Thailand for China and exhibits Thailand’s status as an advanced market in Southeast Asia.

“Thailand is the only country in the Southeast Asia region invited to the summit,” she said.

“This stresses Thailand’s constructive and respectable role as an emerging country in the region and international community.”

China as the host country has also invited four countries outside the bloc as guests, including Egypt representing the Middle East; Tajikistan, China’s neighbour; Mexico representing Latin America and as a member of G20; and Guinea as the chair of the African Union.

Brics members constitute 42% of the global population.