Thai Foreign Minister visits China to boost bilateral relations
SENIOR OFFICIALS from the governments of Thailand and the People’s Republic of China have met to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral relations between the two nations.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Don Pramudwinai paid an official visit to Huangshan City in China’s Anhui Province on Apr 1-2 at the invitation of State Councilor and Foreign Minister H.E. Wang Yi.
The visit was intended to strengthen Thailand and China’s Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership. It also aimed to enhance cooperation in order to revitalize the economy in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and other global crises.
During their meeting, Wang marked the 10th anniversary of the formation of the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership. He said both sides should enhance discussions in order to establish a framework in accordance with China’s Belt and Road Initiative, as well as accelerate the construction of railways between Thailand and China.
He also urged both countries to carry out initiatives in accordance with the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement, in order to enhance trade and economic cooperation while broadening cooperation in technology, digital economy, new energy and other sectors.
Minister Don said Thailand is committed to strengthening bilateral relations and will cooperate to transform the Belt and Road Initiative into a highquality global infrastructure development strategy, as well as actively participate in the Global Development Initiative. He said the Thai government hopes to increase trade, connectivity and agricultural cooperation, ensure industrial and supply chain stability and strengthen bilateral relations in a sustainable manner.
Both sides also agreed to strengthen China’s strategic partnership with ASEAN and maintain open communications in order to boost multilateral cooperation.
The announcement came after a meeting on Mar 23 where Thailand’s Public Relations Department (PRD) and China’s Xinhua News Agency confirmed they are working to enhance their cooperation on news and mass media, with the aim of fostering connectivity between the peoples of both nations.
PRD Deputy DirectorGeneral Sudruethai Lertkasem said both sides reviewed their achievements over the past year, as well as discussing future content to help promote better understanding and relations.