20-10-2023 (BANGKOK) Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has extended an invitation to Chinese President Xi Jinping to visit Thailand, praising his recent trip to China as successful, according to a government official. Government spokesman Chai Wacharonke provided a summary of the bilateral talks between Prime Minister Srettha and President Xi, highlighting their commitment to strengthening Thai-China relations. They emphasized the importance of the Thailand-China Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and the need for high-level visits between the two countries, especially as 2025 will mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties. Prime Minister Srettha has invited President Xi to make an official visit to Thailand.
During the discussions, the leaders addressed various topics, including economic cooperation. They acknowledged the impact of the global economic slowdown and the geopolitical conflict between the US and China on both countries’ economies. In response, they agreed to collaborate in overcoming challenges and boosting trade and investment, particularly in targeted industries such as electric vehicles, batteries, semiconductors, clean energy, and Thailand’s bio-circular and green economic development model. Prime Minister Srettha also briefed President Xi on Thailand’s land bridge project in the South and encouraged Chinese investment in the initiative. President Xi expressed Chinese investors’ interest in Thailand’s megaprojects.
Tourism cooperation was another area of discussion, with Prime Minister Srettha informing President Xi of Thailand’s visa-free policy for Chinese tourists. The Thai government recently introduced a temporary visa exemption for 30-day stays for Chinese and Kazakh nationals to stimulate tourism as part of an economic revival plan. China was Thailand’s largest source of international visitors before the COVID-19 pandemic, and authorities expect approximately 5 million Chinese tourists to visit the country this year.
Prime Minister Srettha also expressed condolences to President Xi over a recent shooting incident at Siam Paragon in Bangkok, where a Chinese visitor was among the casualties. The Thai government has made efforts to compensate the victims and ensure the safety of foreign visitors. The two leaders pledged to collaborate in combating transnational crimes.
Additionally, discussions took place on supporting each other on the international stage under frameworks such as the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation, ASEAN-China cooperation, and the United Nations.
During his trip to China, Prime Minister Srettha also met with Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang in Beijing. They discussed a proposed new bridge across the Mekong River to Laos to boost Thailand-China trade and facilitate Thai cattle exports to China. Prime Minister Srettha also mentioned the land bridge project, which aims to link the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea via the southern provinces of Chumphon and Ranong. These initiatives are expected to enhance connectivity and turn Thailand into a global logistics hub.
Prime Minister Srettha expressed confidence in the success of the land bridge project and the potential for over 1 trillion baht in cash flow if more Chinese companies invest in electric vehicles (EVs).
