H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha (Ret.), Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, sent a congratulatory message to H.E. Mr. Li Keqiang, Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, on the auspicious occasion of the 45^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Thailand and the People’s Republic of China on 1 July 2020, as follows: 

Office of the Prime Minister,
Government House,
BANGKOK.

16 June B.E. 2563 (2020)

Excellency,

On 1 July 2020, the Kingdom of Thailand and the People’s Republic  of China will mark the 45^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. On this auspicious occasion, and on behalf of the Royal Thai Government and people of the Kingdom of Thailand, I have the honour to extend to Your Excellency and, through you, to the Government and people of the People’s Republic of China, my sincere felicitations. I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to 
His Excellency President Xi Jinping and Your Excellency for the importance placed on promoting relations between our two countries.     

Looking back on the journey of friendship and cooperation between Thailand and China, it is distinguishing that our two countries have shared many precious memories and weathered difficult periods together. This has forged a close and deep connection between Thailand and China, extending beyond the realm of national governments to provincial administrations, the private sector, civil society and our peoples. Indeed, this special relationship is aptly described by the Chinese saying “Zhong-Tai Yi Jia Qin.” 

Over the past 45 years, Thailand and China have made remarkable progress in developing our relationship into a Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership founded on the principles of the “One-China Policy”, mutual trust, mutual respect and mutual benefit, including a common vision of peace, prosperity and sustainable development.

Thai and Chinese Leaders and high-level officials have long shared a friendly rapport and engaged in open communication, particularly enhanced through exchanges of visits. On the economic front, the volume of trade between Thailand and China has increased 3,000-fold while two-way investment has amounted to over USD 12 billion since the establishment of diplomatic relations. 
China is now Thailand’s largest trading partner, while Chinese tourists comprise  the largest number of tourists visiting Thailand. Both countries place importance on promoting connectivity with one another and the region through the Thailand-China Railway Cooperation Project, with a view to complementing the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Thailand 4.0 national development strategy. People-to-people relations are equally dynamic, with increased educational, sports, and cultural exchanges contributing to the promotion of understanding and goodwill between our two countries. The robust Partnership between Thailand and China also extends to cooperation in the ASEAN-China, Lancang-Mekong Cooperation, and ACMECS frameworks as well as in other multilateral fora. In this connection, Thailand supports the constructive and proactive role of China, in line with President Xi Jinping’s core mission of demonstrating China’s role as a responsible major country in international affairs.

As we advance towards the next decade of relations amid global uncertainties, including the current COVID-19 situation, it is even more imperative for Thailand and China to join hands in the spirit of friendship and solidarity to address such challenges before us. In this regard, I wish to reaffirm the unwavering commitment of the Royal Thai Government to working closely with the Government of the People’s Republic of China towards elevating the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership to new heights and frontiers.

Accept, Excellency, the renewed assurances of my highest consideration.

              General                                   (Ret.)

                           (Prayut Chan-o-cha)
       Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand
 

His Excellency
            Mr. Li Keqiang,
                   Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China,
                                             BEIJING.