National —
On October 10th, 2024, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang during the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits in Vientiane, Laos, to strengthen bilateral relations.
Paetongtarn proposed that 2025 be declared the “Golden Year of Friendship,” marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Thailand and China. She highlighted Thailand’s commitment to advancing strategic partnerships and addressing regional challenges collaboratively. She expressed hope for future visits from Premier Li and President Xi Jinping to solidify the relationship further.
Discussions centered on expanding economic cooperation, particularly in agriculture and infrastructure. Both sides agreed to hold the 7th Thailand-China Joint Committee on Economic Cooperation meeting soon, and Paetongtarn invited Chinese companies to invest in Thailand’s future industries, leveraging the country’s robust transport, energy, and financial infrastructure.
Both nations are also committed to enhancing regional economic integration and trade, including smoother logistics for agricultural products. Additionally, China has agreed to delay water discharges from the Mekong River to mitigate flooding in Thailand’s northern and northeastern regions.
On cross-border crime, Paetongtarn and Li discussed intensifying efforts to combat human trafficking, grey businesses, and call center scams through both bilateral and regional frameworks.
The Chinese Premier praised Thai soft power, particularly the popularity of Thai textiles and Muay Thai in China, and expressed support for incorporating these cultural elements into the 50th-anniversary celebrations in 2025.
Paetongtarn also held talks with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who commended Thailand for being the first ASEAN nation to pass same-sex marriage laws.
Trudeau emphasized Canada’s willingness to cooperate further in education and vocational training. Both leaders discussed boosting economic ties, with a focus on increasing direct flights between the two countries to enhance trade and tourism. They also expressed hope for successful negotiations on the ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement.
This article originally appeared on our sister website The Pattaya News.