On 10 May 2024, Mr. Paisan Rupanichkij, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Thailand, on behalf of the Permanent Secretary (ASEAN SOM Leader of Thailand), led the Thai delegation at the 30th ASEAN-China Senior Officials’ Consultation (ACSOC) in Jakarta. The meeting was co-chaired by Dr. Khin Thidar Aye, Director-General of the ASEAN Department of Myanmar and H.E. Mr. Sun Weidong, Vice Foreign Minister of Foreign Affairs of China. The meeting discussed ways to promote cooperation under the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), as well as in other areas, including security, economic, and socio-cultural. The meeting also exchanged views on regional and international issues.

Under the agenda item on Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (MLC), of which Thailand and China are the current co-chairs, Thailand highlighted key areas of cooperation, namely (1) developing physical connectivity and digital economy; (2) enhancing collaboration and capacities to address new and emerging challenges, such as human trafficking and online scam, (3) strengthening growth engines such as sciences, technology and innovation for transformation towards sustainable development in the region; and (4) promoting tourism industry, especially regarding tourist safety and travel facilitation.

As 2024 has been designated as the ASEAN-China Year of People-to-People Exchanges, Thailand, together with other ASEAN Member States, stand ready to work with China in promoting closer exchanges between peoples, as well as driving the ASEAN-China relations to a new height