During 5-8 February 2025, H.E. Mr. Maris Sangiampongsa, Minister of Foreign Affairs, accompanied H.E. Ms. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, on her first official visit to the People’s Republic of China in Beijing and to attend the opening ceremony of the 9^th Asian Winter Games opening ceremony in Harbin upon the invitation of H.E. Mr. Li Qiang, Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China. This visit also marks the celebration of the 50^th anniversary of the establishment of the Thailand-China diplomatic relations this year.

Foreign Minister Maris attended the bilateral meetings between the Prime Minister and the Chinese Leaders as follows:

1. Courtesy call on H.E. Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China – The two leaders reaffirmed their determination to build on the 50 years of close relations and deepen ties at all levels, to advance towards the common goal of building the Thailand-China Community with a Shared Future for Enhanced Stability, Prosperity, and Sustainability. Prime Minister Paetongtarn suggested ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation with a forward-looking, people-centered approach in the next phase of the relationship, focusing on three main goals: (1) ensuring the well-being of the peoples; (2) ensuring safety of the peoples (3) ensuring future readiness and mutual understanding. Both sides would expedite key cooperation projects, including the Thailand-China high-speed railway and strengthen supply chain connectivity, particularly in digital economy and electric vehicle industries. They highlighted cooperation on law enforcement at both bilateral and regional levels to effectively combat transnational crimes, especially telecom fraud. The Chinese side commended Thailand’s efforts and measures recently adopted to counter the online scamming bases located near the Thailand - Myanmar border.
   
   
2. At the bilateral meeting with H.E. Mr. Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of the People’s Republic of China, both sides agreed to exchange experiences between their legislative branches to ensure effective legislation and good governance that would improve their peoples’ livelihoods as well as address serious concerns such as transnational crimes and PM 2.5 Moreover, both sides would foster people-to-people exchanges and deepen understanding between their peoples, especially the young generation through scholarships, culture, and soft power.
   
   
3. During the bilateral meeting with H.E. Mr. Li Qiang, Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, both two leaders reaffirmed commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation in all aspects. They also discussed in detail on how to jointly steer the Thailand-China relations with forward-looking and people-centred approach in the long-run. The two sides would further synergize their economic development strategies, particularly between the promotion of Thailand’s five targeted industries and China’s new quality productive forces. Both sides would increase trade and investment facilitation, promote cooperation on market access for agricultural products as well as regulatory oversight of safety standards of goods. The two sides would also foster long-term investment partnership, particularly in future-oriented industries that are essential for green and digital transformation, such as electric vehicle, AI, healthcare, renewable energy, and environmental industry. Moreover, they would bolster collaboration on human resource development and regional connectivity.
   
   Furthermore, the two sides would join efforts to step up cooperation in tackling transnational crimes, particularly telecom fraud and online scams, transboundary haze and air pollution issues for the well-being of their citizens and safety of their property. Additionally, they also exchanged views on global issues of mutual interest.
   
   Prime Minister Paetongtarn extended an invitation to Premier Li Qiang to pay an official visit to Thailand later this year, to celebrate the Golden Jubilee for Thailand - China Friendship, which he gladly accepted.
   
   After the meeting, both Prime Minister witnessed the signing of thirteen bilateral cooperation documents in such areas of economic development, digital economy, customs facilitation and market access (farmed aquatic products), artificial intelligence, nuclear technology, aerospace, green development, postal service, press and media. 

In addition, Foreign Minister Maris also attended the Prime Minister’s meetings with major Chinese potential investors, including Hisense and Xiaomi, and the representatives of Thai businesses in China, led by the Thai Chamber of Commerce in China (TCCC). He also accompanied the Prime Minister to Harbin to attend. The opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games and show support for the Thai athletes participating in the competition. During the visit to Harbin, he joined the Prime Minister at the luncheon hosted by President Xi Jinping and his spouse where the Prime Minister met with several foreign leaders and dignitaries, such as Sultan and Prime Minister of Brunei Darussalam, President of the Kyrgyz Republic, President of Pakistan and National Assembly Speaker of the Republic of Korea.

As an outcome document of the Prime Minister’s official visit, both sides issued a Joint Statement between the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand and the Government of the People’s Republic of China on Advancing the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and Building a Thailand-China Community with a Shared Future for Enhanced Stability, Prosperity, and Sustainability through a Forward-looking and People-Centred Vision.