Striving for a common future
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations on July 1, 1975, both nations have weathered 50 years of ups and downs, supporting each other and ensuring the sound and stable growth of both sides through thick and thin.
In 2022, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Thailand, where the leaders of both countries agreed to advance bilateral relations under important common understandings, ushering in a new era of the China-Thailand community with a shared future.
Strategic mutual trust has been consolidated between the two countries. We have always respected each other and treated one another as equals, despite having different political systems.
Amid the ever-changing inter-national landscape, the two sides have firmly supported each other's interests in sovereignty, security and development as well as endeavours to maintain peace and stability.
We support each other in following development paths suited to our respective national conditions. Our special bond of being one family embodies the model of harmonious coexistence and common development between countries.
Economic and trade cooperation has benefited our two peoples. China has remained Thailand's largest trading partner for 12 consecutive years as well as its largest source of investment. The supply chains of the two countries are deeply integrated.
Chinese enterprises in Thailand have been contributing to the development of Thailand's industries and its transformation towards a digital and green economy.
China is also the largest export market for Thai agricultural products, absorbing over 40% of Thailand's exported agricultural goods.
With its large consumer market, China is ready to further strengthen bilateral trade cooperation and expand the import of high-quality agricultural products from Thailand.
People-to-people exchanges have brought China and Thailand even closer. China is the largest source of tourists for Thailand. In 2024, the two countries entered a 'visa-free era', further facilitating two-way travel in various fields.
The Chinese toy character Labubu has become a new symbol of cultural exchange between the two countries as it has gained popularity in Thailand.
The 'Chinese language fever' in Thailand also continues to rise, with over 3,000 Thai schools offering Chinese courses and more than 1 million students learning the language.
This year, the sacred Buddha tooth relic from Beijing's Lingguang Temple was successfully enshrined in Thailand.
The Chinese People's Liberation Army's August 1st Aerobatic Team put on a spectacular performance in Thailand.
China's polar research icebreaker Xuelong 2 made its maiden visit to Thailand. Cooperation continues to flourish in education, culture, sports, science and technology and beyond.
China and Thailand stand together and share a common future. The Golden Jubilee of China-Thailand Friendship marks a new starting point for advancing bilateral relations and a fresh opportunity for shared development.
China will remain a trustworthy and reliable partner for Thailand and continue to promote the traditional friendship between our countries.
Let us join hands to follow the course charted by our leaders by building a China-Thailand community with a shared future and ushering in another 50 years of relations at a new and higher level, writing a new glorious chapter for 'China and Thailand to be as close as one family' in the new era.
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Bangkok Post
2 hours ago
- Bangkok Post
Calls mount for structural reform in Thailand
Structural reforms, deregulation and a cohesive national vision are needed to help Thailand navigate an increasingly volatile global landscape, prominent figures from government, industry and academia said at a recent event held by the National Press Council in Bangkok. The looming threat of increased tariffs from the United States has compelled countries to take a hard look at their trade policies, Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat told the gathering, held to mark the 28th anniversary of the Council. Mr Julapun was representing Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira, who was in Washington for trade negotiations ahead of a July 9 deadline. The Thai delegation returned on Friday without an agreement, though Mr Pichai expressed confidence that a revised proposal from Thailand would meet with US approval. 'We must accept the old global trade balance is no longer viable,' Mr Julapun said. 'Existing trade frameworks, whether they be bilateral, multilateral or under the World Trade Organization, are being challenged by current US policies. Thailand must work towards establishing a new equilibrium. He stressed the need for a collective response, involving ministries including Finance, Commerce and Agriculture, alongside key private sector bodies such as the Federation of Thai Industries and the Thai Chamber of Commerce. Despite the uncertainty, Mr Julapun expressed cautious optimism, saying he hoped Thailand would be subject to a maximum 10% import tariff rather than the proposed 36%. Commenting on domestic political concerns, Mr Julapun dismissed claims the country had reached a political dead end. The constitution provides mechanisms to resolve ongoing issues, including the recent suspension of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra by the Constitutional Court, he said. 'There is no dead end. The constitution clearly outlines a way forward. Whether people find the outcome satisfactory is another matter, but we can move ahead,' he said. 'We have an acting prime minister and a full cabinet actively managing the country. There is no disruption to the functioning of the state.' He emphasised the need to respect judicial processes and move forward regardless of the court's eventual decision. 'Life does not end here,' he said. 'Cancer' of corruption Chanin Chalissarapong, vice-chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, delivered a frank assessment of business sentiment, describing corruption as a 'cancer' eroding Thailand's competitiveness. He championed deregulation and digital transformation as key solutions to close corruption loopholes and improve public sector efficiency. 'Competitiveness will come through deregulation,' he said, urging the government to attract foreign investment, particularly in high-tech industries like artificial intelligence, quantum computing and biotechnology. He highlighted opportunities in Thailand's 'new S-curve' sectors: agriculture, food, tourism and healthcare, with an emphasis on biotechnology to produce high-value goods such as bio-fertilisers and biopharmaceuticals. He stressed that regulatory reform is essential to attract global expertise and capital. Kriengkrai Thiennukul, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries, echoed calls for reform, pointing to Thailand's more than 120,000 laws and sub-regulations as a major obstacle to productivity. He proposed an 'omnibus law' approach to sweep away outdated regulations, similar to successful reforms in South Korea that spurred rapid economic development. 'Excessive regulation acts as a hidden cost, a chain holding Thailand back,' Mr Kriengkrai said. He urged the government to capitalise on Thailand's strengths in the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) economy, especially in biodiversity, and to view China as a lucrative market for Thai bio-products rather than merely a competitor. Clear and consistent government policies, he said, are critical to enabling industry growth. Human capital deficit Somchai Jitsuchon, research director at the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI), raised concerns about the country's human capital, adding that over half of Thais aged over 40 have only a limited education, an impediment to national development. He cited examples such as Alibaba founder Jack Ma's preference for investing in Malaysia over Thailand due to superior human resources, and argued that 'political quality reflects the quality of the electorate'. Mr Somchai called for stronger civic education to improve democratic engagement and highlighted the dominance of tourism as a 'forced choice', resulting from a lack of workforce capacity in more advanced industries. Natthapong Ruengpanyawut, leader of the opposition People's Party, laid out a strategic vision for inclusive green growth, centred on grassroots investment and regional development. His three-pronged plan comprises developing secondary cities to match Bangkok's quality of life and attract private investment, installing one million solar rooftops within four years to cut electricity costs and spur the renewable energy sector, and expanding 'economic forests' by one million rai through public-private partnerships to generate high-value timber and bio-materials.
Bangkok Post
3 hours ago
- Bangkok Post
Cambodia pushes for UN debate as border tensions persist
A letter from the Cambodian permanent representative to the United Nations has emerged, revealing a call the country made on June 16 for 'prevention of armed conflict' with Thailand to be placed on the agenda of the United Nations General Assembly. In the letter, made available in the UN database, Cambodia noted that it had approached to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) a day prior, on June 15, to rule on the border dispute with Thailand. Thailand has said it does not recognise the jurisdiction of the ICJ, and that disagreements should be resolved on a bilateral basis by the two countries' Joint Boundary Commission. That Cambodian letter cited persisting border tensions despite the existence of the Franco-Siamese treaties of 1904 and 1907 and the court's judgements in 1962 and 2013 'affirming Cambodia's sovereignty over Preah Vihear temple and its surrounding promontory'. Core to the letter was a reference to a 'serious armed confrontation ' on May 28 in the Mom Bei area, which Cambodia claims poses a threat to peace and stability in the region around itself and Thailand. It went on to characterise attempts at bilateral negotiations for a peaceful resolution as having failed, directly attributing subsequent escalation to remarks made by Lt Gen Boonsin Padklang, commander of the Thai Second Army Region responsible for northeastern Thailand. The letter implored the UN General Assembly to accept the dispute for deliberation, saying Cambodia had been left with no choice but to seek resolution through the ICJ. It is not known yet whether the General Assembly has accepted the request for a debate. Cambodian troops 'instigating' confrontation In Thailand, a source within the Second Army Region has claimed that the most recent discovery of Cambodian troops patrolling in disputed border areas was staged as a deliberate provocation, pointing out the presence of soldiers intent on filming the squadron crossing paths with Thai military. The meeting between Thai and Cambodian troops in the Ta Muen Thom Temple area in Surin province took place on June 27 and was widely shared on social media. In the video, Cambodian troops are seen pointing to their Thai counterparts and scolding them. The situation was allegedly set off by attempts to warn visiting tourists to leave the area in a timely fashion. The unnamed source has asserted that the Cambodian unit seemingly intended to engage in the exchange of words, as it had set up video equipment to capture the scene. The source pointed out that footage shows several Cambodian soldiers intently filming the meeting from several angles as others in the unit seek to instigate an argument. The video is probably intended to be used by Cambodian information operatives to lift troops' morale and also stoke nationalist sentiment against Thailand. The anonymous army member assured that Thai soldiers are aware of such tactics and have suitable countermeasures.
Bangkok Post
5 hours ago
- Bangkok Post
Dalai Lama 'hopes to live beyond 130 years'
DHARAMSHALA — The elderly Dalai Lama on Saturday said that he hopes to live until he is over 130 years old, days after he sought to allay speculation over his succession by saying he would reincarnate upon his death. The Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader was speaking during a ceremony organised by his followers to offer prayers for his long life, ahead of his 90th birthday on Sunday. The Dalai Lama previously told Reuters in December he might live to 110. "I still hope to live for over 130 years," the Dalai Lama told hundreds of followers from around the world who gathered in the northern Indian hill town of Dharamshala, where he has lived after fleeing Tibet in 1959 in the wake of a failed uprising against Chinese rule. "We have lost our country, and we live in exile in India, but I have been able to benefit beings quite a lot. So, living here in Dharamshala, I intend to serve beings and the dharma as much as I can," he said, referring to the teachings of the Buddha, according to a translation of his speech. Beijing views the Dalai Lama as a separatist and has insisted that its leaders would have to approve his successor as a legacy from imperial times. The Dalai Lama has previously said that he would reincarnate in the "free world" and this week told his followers that the sole authority to recognise his reincarnation rests solely with his non-profit institution, the Gaden Phodrang Trust.
