On 31 July - 1 August 2019, H.E. Mr. Wang Yi, State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China paid an official visit to Thailand in conjunction with the 52^nd ASEAN Foreign Ministers' (AMM)/ Post Ministerial Conferences (PMCs) and Related Meetings. During the visit, the State Councilor had a bilateral meeting with H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand and paid a courtesy call on H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand.

At the bilateral meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, both sides were pleased with the close strategic partnership between Thailand and China. The State Councilor commended on Thailand’s constructive role as ASEAN Chair and reaffirmed China’s support to Thailand’s ASEAN chairmanship. He also confirmed the visit to Thailand by H.E. Mr. Li Keqiang, Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China in conjunction with the East Asia Summit in November 2019. Both sides agreed to promote connectivity between the BRI (Belt and Road Initiative) and railways and transportation networks between Thailand and China as well as the GBA (Guangdong - Hong Kong - Macau Greater Bay Area) with the EEC (Eastern Economic Corridor) and related development projects into concrete outcome which would be mutually beneficial to the two countries and ASEAN-China cooperation. In this regard, the State Councilor commended Thailand for the latter’s initiative on “Connecting the Connectivities” which is in trend with global economic development and globalization. The State Councilor informed the Thai side of China’s readiness to enhance cooperation with Thailand on digital economy in areas such as e-commerce, artificial intelligence (AI), big data and 5G technology. Both sides agreed to expedite the conclusion of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) by this year and to enhance cooperation in alleviating drought in the Mekong River, anti-money laundering, and sustainable development. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand informed the State Councilor that Thailand will launch the ASEAN Center for Sustainable Development Studies and Dialogue (ACDSD) in the next few months.

During the courtesy call, the Prime Minister of Thailand reaffirmed the continuity of policies and cooperation with China under the present government. The State Councilor reaffirmed China’s invitation to Thailand to participate in the 2^nd China International Import Expo (CIIE) as a Country of Honour, while the Prime Minister of Thailand confirmed Thailand’s participation. Both sides were pleased with the progress of Thailand - China - Japan collaboration in the Smart City project in the EEC and the high-speed rail project linking Bangkok and Rayong, which would also be beneficial to other countries. The Prime Minister of Thailand encouraged more Chinese investors to invest in EECd (EEC Digital Park) EECi (EEC Innovation Park) and EECa (EEC Aviation City). He recalled the discussion with President Xi Jin Ping which the Thai side had expressed interest in strengthening cooperation in human resources development and in the development of skilled labours with China. The State Councilor reaffirmed China’s readiness to collaborate with Thailand. Furthermore, the Prime Minister of Thailand was pleased to learn of the meeting between the Chinese President and the US President during the G20 Summit in Osaka to resolve US - China trade dispute. In this regard, the State Councilor viewed that Thailand and China should join together in supporting free trade and oppose protectionism while upholding the WTO rules and regulations.

The official visit to Thailand by the State Councilor and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of China has further strengthened the strategic partnership between Thailand and China and in the ASEAN-China framework. This visit is  a preparation for H.E. Mr. Li Keqiang’s official visit to Thailand in November 2019.