China and Thailand on Tuesday pledged to deepen cooperation in economy, infrastructure and trade to cope with adverse global economic conditions. 

In a joint statement released during Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's official visit to the Southeast Asian country, the two sides agreed to build the China-Thailand railway into a successful example of bilateral cooperation within the Belt and Road Initiative framework. 

There's more than growing military ties to Sino-Thai relations

China and Thailand vowed to speed up the implementation of the railway project connecting Thailand's Nong Khai and Laos' Vientiane, and increase railway connections among the three countries. 

The two nations also agreed to explore mutually beneficial cooperation within the framework of the New International Land-Sea Corridor, so as to promote regional interconnectivity and development. 

Meanwhile, they agreed to further facilitate bilateral trade and expand cooperation in agricultural trade and e-commerce. 

In the statement, the two sides also agreed to boost bilateral cooperation between China's Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and Thailand's Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), so as to increase connectivity between the two areas and beyond. 

They said they will further coordinate their industrial planning and policy-making, deepen industrial cooperation through platforms like the Thai-Chinese Rayong Industrial Zone in Thailand's Rayong Province, and make good use of Thailand's strategic advantage as a logistical converging point along the Mekong River. 

They also vowed to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation in sectors such as next-generation automobiles, high-tech medical equipment, new energy, energy-saving vehicles and rubber. Thailand said it welcomes Chinese companies to expand investment in the EEC. 

The two sides also pledged to strengthen financial cooperation, expand the use of their currencies in trade and investment, and enhance collaboration on cross-border supervision. 

On tourism cooperation, they said they are satisfied with the growing numbers of tourists between the two countries. 

Premier Li Keqiang also met Chuan Leekpai, president of the Thai National Assembly and speaker of the House of Representatives, and called for closer exchanges between the two nations.

Li spoke highly of the current relations between China and Thailand and commended the Thai parliament for its consistent efforts in advancing the bilateral friendship.

China also stands ready to make concerted efforts with Thailand to boost exchanges and coordination on regional and international affairs, and advance China-ASEAN relations and regional integration, Li added.

Chuan Leekpai welcomed Li's official visit to Thailand and his participation in the series of leaders' meetings on East Asian cooperation. The Thai people share a close bond with the Chinese people, he said.

Recalling that the Thai parliament actively participated in celebrations for the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, he said Thailand is ready to reinforce exchanges between the two countries' legislative institutions, peoples and youths, so as to attain greater development of bilateral relations.

(Cover: Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (L) and Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha jointly meet the press in Bangkok, Thailand, November 5, 2019. /Xinhua Photo)