The Prime Minister had a telephone conversation with the President of the People’s Republic of China on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Thailand and the People's Republic of China, and also discussed bilateral cooperation. The highlights of the discussion include exchanging views on the COVID-19 situation, promoting economic collaboration and reaffirming the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership between the two countries.

On 14 July 2020, H.E. Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha (Ret.), Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand had a telephone conversation with H.E. Mr. Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China. The two leaders extended congratulations to each other on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Thailand and China on 1 July 2020 and reaffirmed the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership between the two countries, which is founded on the principles of mutual trust, mutual respect and mutual benefit. The President of the People’s Republic of China conveyed his best wishes to His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua on the occasion of His Majesty’s 68th Birthday Anniversary on 28 July 2020.

In exchanging views on the COVID-19 situation and cooperation, the two leaders were deeply touched by the assistance that the various parts of society and people of both countries extended to each other.  They also welcomed the positive developments in the COVID-19 situation in Thailand and China. In this regard, Prime Minister Prayut commended and shared the determination by President Xi in ensuring the accessibility of the COVID-19 vaccine as global public goods and reiterated Thailand’s readiness to support and work with China on this matter. 

The two leaders agreed that amidst global uncertainty and the COVID-19 situation, Thailand and China should promote cooperation in mutually beneficial areas, especially in sectors which would help support socio-economic recoveries of the two countries and the region at large, such as e-commerce, digital economy, artificial intelligence and information and communication technology. They agreed to promote the import of Thai agricultural products to the Chinese market as well as facilitate cross-border transportation of goods to promote trade and safeguard the supply chain. They also shared the view that Thailand and China should enhance cooperation in poverty eradication. In addition, the two leaders discussed cooperation on the management of water resources in the Mekong River and building synergies and complementarities between the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Thailand’s national development strategies, especially Thailand 4.0 and the development of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).

Both sides would strengthen cooperation in regional and international frameworks, including ASEAN-China, Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (MLC), Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) to address global uncertainties caused by COVID-19 and promote economic development, peace and sustainable development. 

In closing, Prime Minister Prayut expressed condolences to President Xi on the flood situation in many parts of China while extending support and renewed confidence in the Government of the People’s Republic of China under the President’s leadership in being able to successfully overcome the difficulty and restore the situation to normalcy.