China, Thailand agree to boost cooperation

China, Thailand agree to boost cooperation

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha gestures after he welcomed Song Tao, head of China's International Liaison Department, at Government House on Thursday. (Government House photo)
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha gestures after he welcomed Song Tao, head of China's International Liaison Department, at Government House on Thursday. (Government House photo)

Thailand and China on Thursday agreed to work together to boost ties in all areas.

The agreement was announced after a meeting between Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Song Tao, head of China's International Liaison Department, at Government House on Thursday.

On economic cooperation, for instance, both sides pledged to link compatible projects, including the Thai government’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) and China’s Greater Bay Area (GBA).

In tourism, Gen Prayut thanked China for encouraging its people to continue visiting Thailand and supporting Thai-Chinese cooperation.

Both sides also agreed to step up cooperation in areas such as education, technology and science.

Mr Song invited the Thai side to visit China to study possible new areas of cooperation.

He also relayed his best wishes to Gen Prayut from Chinese President Xi Jinping and Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang.

He said the main purpose of his visit was to strengthen Thai-Chinese relations.

Gen Prayut also congratulated China on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of Communist Party rule on Oct 1 and China’s development progress over past decades.

He added Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn had been awarded a Friendship Medal by the Chinese.

The medal is one of only six to be presented to foreigners, said Mr Song.

Xinhua News Agency reported the Chinese president on Tuesday signed a decree to recognise foreign individuals' friendship towards China ahead of the country's 70th anniversary.

The other foreigners to be decorated are Cuba’s Raul Castro Ruz, Tanzania’s Salim Ahmed Salim, Russia’s Galina Kulikova, France’s Jean-Pierre Raffarin and Canada’s Isabel Crook.

Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT (5)