Chinese, Thai FMs pledge to expand exchanges, enhance cooperation

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday co-chaired the second meeting of the Consultation Mechanism between the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of China and Thailand with Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa, in Beijing.

Calling the two countries good neighbors, relatives and friends, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said China and Thailand have always upheld mutual trust and developed hand in hand.

China has remained Thailand's largest trading partner for more than 10 consecutive years and has become its largest source of foreign investment, Wang said, adding that the number of Chinese tourists to Thailand has exceeded 3 million this year.

Noting that China regards Thailand as a trustworthy partner and a force for peace and stability in the region, Wang said China supports Thailand in playing a more vital role in global and regional affairs.

Wang urged the two sides to enhance the level of connectivity, strengthen law enforcement and security cooperation, and jointly crack down on cross-border crimes such as Internet gambling and telecom fraud.

The two sides should also make good use of the "visa-free era" – the two countries reached an agreement on mutual visa exemption which came into effect on March 1 – to expand people-to-people exchanges and intensify exchanges between young people to carry forward their friendship, he said.

For his part, Maris said Thailand attaches great importance to its relationship with China, and will continue to adhere to the one-China policy.

Thailand is committed to strengthening exchanges and cooperation between governments, enterprises and the people of China to ensure the sustainable and long-term development of bilateral relations, he said.

Thailand is ready to work with China to maintain close high-level exchanges, deepen people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and strengthen practical cooperation in areas such as digital economy, electric vehicles, renewable energy and tourism.

The two sides also exchanged views on issues including East Asia regional cooperation, Lancang-Mekong Cooperation and the Myanmar issue.