Thailand and China to Expand Strategic Cooperation

(15/04/2012)

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra will lead a delegation to visit the People’s Republic of China to boost strategic cooperation and regional cooperation with China under the frameworks of ASEAN and the Greater Mekong Subregion. The visit is scheduled for 17-19 April 2012 at the invitation of Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao. The Thai delegation will consist of members of the public and private sectors. Cabinet members joining the delegation include Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul, Ministers to the Prime Minister’s Office Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan and Nalinee Taveesin, Transport Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Preecha Rengsomboonsuk, Minister of Information and Communication Technology Group Captain Anudith Nakornthap, Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom, Education Minister Suchart Thada-Thamrongvech, and Industry Minister M.R. Pongsvas Svasti. During the visit, several important documents involving relations between the two countries will be signed. Among them are the Agreement on Educational Cooperation, the second five-year Joint Action Plan on Thailand-China Strategic Cooperation for 2012-2016, the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Agricultural Trade Cooperation, and a five-year development plan for 2012-2016 under the Agreement on Expanding and Deepening Bilateral Economic and Trade Cooperation. Thailand and China will hold talks on investments in high-speed rail lines from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Bangkok to Nong Khai, Bangkok to Rayong, and Bangkok to Padang Besar. They will sign an MOU on the feasibility study of railway cooperation, as well. The development of water management will be a major topic of discussion. During the severe floods in Thailand in 2011, the Chinese government donated flood relief supplies and dispatched experienced flood control experts to Thailand to offer useful advice to cope with the flooding situation. China is one of Thailand’s major trading partners. Thai-Chinese trade amounted to 64.7 billion US dollars in 2011. Both countries are seeking ways to achieve the bilateral trade target of 100 billion dollars by 2015. Chinese tourists visiting Thailand in 2012 are likely to reach two million, against 1.7 million recorded in 2011. Bangkok, Pattaya, and Kanchanaburi have been listed as popular tourist destinations among Chinese visitors to Thailand. Thailand serves as coordinator for ASEAN-China relations in 2012 and it is regarded as China’s gateway to ASEAN. China is seen as a key player in helping the connectivity of the region and the formation of the ASEAN Community. The Thai government has a policy to promote transportation links between the two nations and other neighboring countries, especially those in the Greater Mekong subregion, which, apart from Thailand, comprises Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, and southern China.