On February 5, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra embarked on a four-day official visit to China at the invitation of Chinese Premier LiQiang. This visit coincides with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Thailand, making it of significant historical and practical importance. The visit aims not only to deepen the economic and trade ties between the two countries but also to enhance cultural exchanges and mutual trust.
Prime Paetongtarn’s visit focuses primarily on economic and trade cooperation. As major economies in the Asian region, China and Thailand have seen continuous growth in bilateral trade, with expanding areas of investment. According to data from the General Administration of Customs of China, the bilateral trade volume between China and Thailand reached $133.98 billion in 2024, a 6.1% increase from the previous year. China has become a major source of foreign investment for Thailand, with numerous large-scale projects, particularly in the automotive industry, driving the transformation and upgrading of Thailand’s automotive ecosystem.
During the visit, Prime Minister Paetongtarn engaged in in-depth discussions with Chinese leaders on economic and trade cooperation. The two sides are expected to reach further consensus on areas such as trade, investment, and infrastructure development. Thailand plans to build a high-speed rail line connecting Thailand to southern China by 2030, a project seen as an important example of Sino-Thai cooperation that aligns with China’s vision for regional connectivity. The two sides will also explore cooperation in areas like the digital economy, technological development, and food security, with a view to fostering mutual economic prosperity.
In addition to economic and trade cooperation, cultural exchange is another key focus of the visit. China and Thailand share a long-standing and deep friendship, with a rich history of cultural exchange. In recent years, the two countries have made continuous progress in cooperation in fields such as education, culture, and tourism. Before his visit, Prime Minister Paetongtarn extended New Year greetings to the Chinese people through XinHua News Agency, expressing his hopes for further strengthening the friendship and cooperation between the two nations.
This visit also marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Thailand, a period during which cooperation in politics, economics, and culture has been continually deepened, establishing a strong strategic partnership. Prime Minister Paetongtarn stated that the Thai government will continue to promote friendly cooperation with China, striving to elevate the bilateral relationship to new heights. He emphasized that Thailand will always adhere to an independent foreign policy, safeguard national interests, and promote regional and global peace and stability.
In regional and international affairs, China and Thailand also maintain close communication and cooperation. The two sides will exchange views on issues such as regional security, counterterrorism, and non-traditional security, strengthening their collaboration within multilateral frameworks like the United Nations, and jointly working to uphold regional and global peace and stability. Prime Minister Paetongtarn’s visit will further consolidate and expand Sino-Thai cooperation in regional and international matters, making a positive contribution to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.
Looking ahead, China and Thailand will continue to adhere to the principles of mutual respect, equality, and mutual benefit, strengthening high-level exchanges, deepening economic and trade cooperation, advancing cultural exchange, and jointly addressing global challenges.the friendship and cooperation between China and Thailand will surely embrace an even better future.
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