Naval Cooperation: Thailand joins Chinese Navy's 70th anniversary celebrations
Updated 16:10, 27-Apr-2019
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02:07
China has received goodwill messages from around the world to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army Navy. Among those joining the celebrations was its Southeast Asian close partner Thailand, from where CGTN's Martin Lowe sent this report.
Warships from Thailand joined a naval parade to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy.
Vessels from the Royal Thai Navy sailed alongside those of around a dozen other countries in a multinational fleet.
China and Thailand have long-standing diplomatic and cultural relations and growing commercial links involving joint projects and investment.
Cooperation between the two navies is increasing, primarily to enhance joint capability in humanitarian roles.
VIROT ALI, ASSOC. DEAN OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS THAMMASAT UNIVERSITY, BANGKOK "I think if China wants to become more active in the framework of ASEAN or in bilateral relationships with any country in Southeast Asia then Thailand would be the country they can relate with very easily and very closely at the beginning and then slowly they could expand and develop into a multilateral arrangement within the region."
In a further sign of its close relationship, the Thai government is purchasing a submarine from China to bolster regional security. Thailand will take delivery of a Chinese Yuan-class vessel, with an option to buy two more.
MARTIN LOWE BANGKOK "Thailand has offered its official congratulations to China to mark this anniversary and says it looks forward to developing even closer cooperation between the two countries' naval fleets."
The Thai navy says it also stands ready to support China in non-military operations, such as casualty evacuation, providing help after natural disasters and in aid and relief missions.
Martin Lowe, CGTN, Bangkok.