China and Thailand have reaffirmed their commitment to expanding economic cooperation, with a strong focus on new energy development and environmental sustainability. The commitment was highlighted during a seminar titled China’s Economic Development Plan and the Promise of New Energy for a Sustainable Environment, held on Friday, 10 July 2026, at The Emerald Hotel in Bangkok. Get today's headlines by email The event was jointly organised by the Thai-Chinese Journalists Association and the Thai-Chinese Media and Business Institute. It also marked the official launch of the third Executive Thai-Chinese Business Programme, attended by representatives from business, the media, government agencies and state enterprises. The programme is jointly organised by the Asia-Africa Centre of China Media Group (CMG) and the Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, with official support from the Chinese Embassy in Thailand. Chinese Ambassador to Thailand Zhang Jianwei delivered the keynote address, describing 2026 as the first year of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan. He said the plan provides a new blueprint for high-quality economic and social development, with China aiming to maintain stable GDP growth despite global uncertainty and prolonged conflict in the Middle East affecting global energy supply chains. The ambassador said China has built the world’s largest and fastest-growing renewable energy system. Renewable sources now account for 60 per cent of the country’s installed electricity generation capacity, while four out of every 10 units of electricity generated nationwide come from green energy. China also operates the world’s largest electric vehicle charging network and aims to double the supply of non-fossil fuel energy, including wind, solar, hydro and nuclear power, by 2035 compared with 2025 levels. Mr Zhang said cooperation between China and Thailand in the new energy sector has strong long-term potential. Eight Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers have invested more than US$3 billion in production facilities in Thailand, with combined annual capacity exceeding 500,000 vehicles. The projects have created more than 10,000 direct jobs, supported over 100,000 additional local jobs, provided training for Thai engineers and encouraged automotive parts suppliers to establish operations in Thailand. He proposed three priorities for future cooperation: strengthening joint energy policy coordination, expanding trade and investment across the new energy value chain, and increasing collaboration between industry and educational institutions to develop highly skilled local workers. Addressing concerns over reports of so-called “grey Chinese capital”, Mr Zhang said the vast majority of Chinese businesses in Thailand operate legally and contribute positively to local communities. He said those who break the law should face legal action, but warned against allowing the actions of a small number of offenders to define Chinese investors as a whole. He also highlighted successful law enforcement cooperation between China and Thailand against online gambling networks, call centre scams and recent joint Mekong River operations involving four countries. The Daily News reported that the seminar concluded with a panel discussion on the global energy crisis and sustainability. Speakers included Kiattichai Maitriwong, Vice-Chairman of the Senate Energy Committee; Borom Engchuan, spokesman for the House Energy Committee; Isares Ratnadilok Na Phuket, Vice-Chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries; and Krisada Uttamote, former president of the Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand. The discussion focused on how new energy technologies could support sustainable economic growth between Thailand and China. Picture courtesy of: Daily News Join the discussion? 13 July 2026
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