BANGKOK, Thailand – Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, in a special episode of “Unlocking Thailand’s Future with Prime Minister Paetongtarn” on Feb 16, outlined the outcomes of her official visit to China, where she met with President Xi Jinping, National People’s Congress Chairman Zhao Leji, and Premier Li Qiang. The discussions centered on economic cooperation, cybersecurity, infrastructure development, and strengthening cultural and diplomatic ties to mark 50 years of Thailand-China relations.
A key outcome of the visit was an agreement to intensify efforts against transnational cybercrime, with both countries establishing task forces for intelligence-sharing and rapid enforcement. Thailand’s crackdown on online fraud and call center scams received praise from Chinese leaders, who pledged continued collaboration. Security measures for Chinese tourists in Thailand were also addressed, with new systems introduced to enhance protection and emergency response.
Trade and investment were central to the visit, with China reaffirming its commitment to Thailand’s high-speed rail project and expressing strong interest in the Landbridge project, a logistics corridor linking the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. The project is expected to cut export times by four days, lower business costs by 15%, and improve Thailand’s connectivity with regional and global markets. Both sides also agreed to streamline agricultural exports by aligning quality standards, reducing costs for Thai farmers, and increasing shipments of key products such as durians and mangoes.
Investment cooperation expanded, with Thailand inviting Xiaomi to establish an electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing plant in the country. Fourteen new agreements were signed covering cybersecurity, agricultural technology, and advanced manufacturing. Cultural and economic exchange was also discussed, including the promotion of Thai cuisine, Muay Thai, and e-commerce opportunities for Thai businesses in China. In a symbolic gesture, discussions included the arrival of two new giant pandas in Thailand as a sign of goodwill between the nations.
The visit concluded with Prime Minister Paetongtarn attending the 9th Asian Winter Games, where she met with Thai athletes and celebrated the country’s first-ever freestyle skiing medalist. She described the trip as a milestone in Thailand-China relations, reinforcing economic partnerships, strengthening security cooperation, and expanding cultural ties for the decades ahead. (NNT)
