PM Paetongtarn strengthens ties with Xi in landmark China visit

[snoop1130]

Photo courtesy of The Nation

 

By Puntid Tantivangphaisal

 

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra kicked off a landmark visit to China, meeting President Xi Jinping in Beijing today, February 6, in a high-level diplomatic exchange at the Great Hall of the People.

 

The visit comes as Thailand and China celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations, marking what Xi described as a “golden year of friendship.”

 

In a warm exchange, the Thai premier extended Chinese New Year greetings, highlighting the enduring economic and strategic ties between the two nations.

 

She reaffirmed Thailand’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with China, a country that has been Thailand’s top trading partner for 12 consecutive years, with investments exceeding US$100 billion (approximately 3 trillion baht).

 

Later in the day, the Thai PM attended a military parade inspection ceremony and held talks with Premier Li Qiang and his delegation.

 

 

Discussions focused on expanding trade, investment, and economic partnerships, ensuring continued growth and stability for both nations.

 

President Xi emphasised China’s strong support for Thailand’s development and praised the new Thai government’s leadership. He reiterated China’s commitment to fostering regional and international collaboration, with a particular focus on economic growth and technological advancements.

 

As part of the visit, Paetongtarn will oversee the signing of key agreements, including trade, investment, and infrastructure partnerships, which were approved by the Thai Cabinet under a Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) framework.

 

These agreements are expected to boost bilateral cooperation, further solidifying China’s role as Thailand’s most influential economic ally, reported The Nation.

 

Photo courtesy of The Nation

 

The Thai government aims to strengthen collaborations in key sectors driving the transition to a greener and more digital economy. This includes boosting the electric vehicle and semiconductor industries and expanding data centre development.

 

The 38 year old Thai PM also stressed the importance of tourist safety and crime prevention, urging ministries to tackle transnational crime, particularly call-centre gangs operating through Thailand.

 

PM Paetongtarn further directed agencies to enhance cultural and soft power exchanges with China. In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Sino-Thai relations, preparations are underway for the arrival of a new pair of giant pandas, symbolising the enduring friendship between the two nations.

 

Source: The Thaiger

-- 2025-02-06

 

 

[connda]

Thailand should forge strong economic bonds with its next door neighbor and the premier manufacturing power-house of the world.
ASEAN and BRICS are the future of a Eurasia economic union.  Too bad the West doesn't want to join, it would be good for the entire world.  But with the flakiness of sanctions and tariff which the West loves to wield, best to constructs strong economic bonds with the what will soon be the largest trading block with the most potential global consumers.

[potless]

40 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

 preparations are underway for the arrival of a new pair of giant pandas

Thailand will reciprocate with a giant pander.

[Artisi]

You can bet Xi was thinking to himself, "who the xxxx is this bimbo" 

[Tailwagsdog]

Communist China has surrounded Thailand with its subordinate puppet states of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar (soon ) and Thailand is next in Line. Bow to your Han masters they are your boss very soon.

Bravo to Marcos & the Phillipines for being the only decent S.E.Asian country to reject the communists.

[daveAustin]

11 hours ago, Artisi said:

You can bet Xi was thinking to himself, "who the xxxx is this bimbo" 

That, or wow Thaksin has taken good care of himself, he looks younger and fitter than ever.

[Artisi]

25 minutes ago, daveAustin said:

That, or wow Thaksin has taken good care of himself, he looks younger and fitter than ever.

And very cute 😍 😊

[hotchilli]

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Later in the day, the Thai PM attended a military parade inspection ceremony and held talks with Premier Li Qiang and his delegation

I wonder if the subject of submarines surfaced?

[hotchilli]

1 hour ago, Tailwagsdog said:

Communist China has surrounded Thailand with its subordinate puppet states of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar (soon ) and Thailand is next in Line. Bow to your Han masters they are your boss very soon.

Bravo to Marcos & the Phillipines for being the only decent S.E.Asian country to reject the communists.

Not forgetting Vietnam..

[thesetat]

13 hours ago, connda said:

Thailand should forge strong economic bonds with its next door neighbor and the premier manufacturing power-house of the world.
ASEAN and BRICS are the future of a Eurasia economic union.  Too bad the West doesn't want to join, it would be good for the entire world.  But with the flakiness of sanctions and tariff which the West loves to wield, best to constructs strong economic bonds with the what will soon be the largest trading block with the most potential global consumers.

Making deals with China comes with extreme risks as the Samoan government is learning and beginning to warn other nations. 

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-03-22/prime-minister-samoa-fiame-naomi-mata-afa-china-solomon-island/102130304

[findlay13]

“golden year of friendship.” Rotflol golden year of sycophantry 

[findlay13]

2 hours ago, Tailwagsdog said:

 "Phillipines for being the only decent S.E.Asian country"

Rotflol .  Corruption rules

[mfd101]

Next she'll be off to Washington DC to discuss the future of Israel with the Great Disruptor.

[Artisi]

16 minutes ago, mfd101 said:

Next she'll be off to Washington DC to discuss the future of Israel with the Great Disruptor.

She'll be in good company, both as useful as tits on a bull

[AustinRacing]

She’s smart. Staying away from BBK until the PM2.5 levels drop. 

[newbee2022]

4 hours ago, Tailwagsdog said:

Communist China has surrounded Thailand with its subordinate puppet states of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar (soon ) and Thailand is next in Line. Bow to your Han masters they are your boss very soon.

Bravo to Marcos & the Phillipines for being the only decent S.E.Asian country to reject the communists.

Ridiculous to ignore the power house of our world. It's not America, it's not UK or EU, but BRICS and ASEAN.

[crazykopite]

Are we surprised NO she does as she is told !

[kingstonkid]

17 hours ago, Artisi said:

You can bet Xi was thinking to himself, "who the xxxx is this bimbo" 

No daddy had probably told xi to show her the paper show her where to sign then have someone take her shopping 

[Karma80]

The new US administration is not a reliable partner. Thailand will be smart to look to regional neighbours. Indonesia just became a full member of brics, and Thailand a partner member last month. Only a matter of time before full membership.

[Srikcir]

In 2023, foreign direct investment net inflows from China to Thailand amounted to more than 1.8 billion U.S. dollars, indicating a significant increase compared to the previous year. Foreign direct investment is a type of investment made by an individual or corporation in one country into a business in another country.

Most if not all Chinese imports enter Thailand duty-free. 

20 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

President Xi emphasised China’s strong support for Thailand’s development and praised the new Thai government’s leadership.

China operates through its poliburo Thailand's largets electronic marketplace Lazada. Thailand buys Chinese submarines. Thailand gives "blue plate specials" to Chinese tourists.

What more does this government need to engage China in economic bonds? Maybe the answer is the Thai governments have done all they can do in the last decade for close Chinese economic support and needs to develop other foreign economic bonds.