On 19 July 2022, the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Shanghai hosted the 5^th Meeting of the Joint Working Group between the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Shanghai and Jiangsu Province (Working Group).  It was co-chaired by Ms. Lada Phumas, Consul-General of Thailand in Shanghai, and Mr. Huang Xiqiang, DG-level Counsellor at the Foreign Affairs Office of Jiangsu Provincial People’s Government.     

            This Meeting was held via videoconference with about 30 delegates in attendance. The Thai side comprised members of Team Thailand in Shanghai, including Consuls for Commerce, Investment Promotion and Agriculture and Director of Tourism Authority of Thailand, Shanghai Office, as well as Minister Counsellor for Science and Technology at the Royal Thai Embassy in Beijing.  Jiangsu’s delegation consisted of representatives from relevant agencies such as Jiangsu Development and Reform Commission, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Jiangsu Sub-council, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Department of Education, Department of Culture and Tourism, Jiangsu Provincial Commission of Health and Foreign Affairs Office of Yancheng.     

            The objectives of the Meeting were to follow up on the outcomes of the 4^th Working Group Meeting and promote further concrete cooperation between Thailand and Jiangsu. This would not only help support social and economic recovery post-COVID-19 but also reinforce the synergy in the implementation of Thailand and China’s national development strategies, particularly Thailand’s Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy Model, Thailand 4.0 and Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) and China’s Belt and Road Initiative, high-quality development and integration of the Yangtze River Delta (YRD).  As one of the most developed and economically dynamic areas in China, the YRD comprises Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Anhui and its combined GDP accounts for nearly one-fourth of that of China. 

            This Meeting also generated momentum in furthering the overall Thailand - YRD and Thailand - China relations, especially in light of the 10^th Anniversary of Thailand - China Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership in 2022, as well as strengthening regional cooperation through relevant frameworks such as Mekong - Lancang Cooperation, ASEAN - China relations and Asia - Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in which Thailand has served as Host of APEC this year under the theme “Open. Connect. Balance”. 

            In her remarks, Consul-General Phumas highlighted the maximization of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in enhancing economic cooperation between Thailand and Jiangsu, opportunities and benefits for investment in targeted industries at the EEC, striking balance and strengthening economy through the BCG, as well as the importance of human resource development cooperation especially in science and technology and vocational education.

            The Jiangsu side recognized the vast investment opportunities in Thailand, particularly in the areas of advanced manufacturing, new material, renewable energy and new energy vehicles, and wished to bring business delegations to visit the EEC.  Jiangsu also proposed to expand cooperation with Thailand in such fields as green technology, green industries, prevention and control of COVID-19 and tropical diseases, and traditional medicine.

            Furthermore, both sides also had exchanges on cooperation in various areas of mutual interest, such as trade, investment, business facilitation, agriculture, digital economy, high-end technology, scientific cooperation, tourism, cultural exchange, education, people-to-people relations, and cooperation at the local level.  In this regard, Consul-General Phumas requested the Jiangsu side to continue supporting and protecting Thai nationals and businesses in Jiangsu, accelerate the return of Thai students to continue their education in Jiangsu, and revitalize safe international travels. 

              The Joint Working Group between the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Shanghai and Jiangsu Province was established in 2016, where the Consulate-General and the Foreign Affairs Office of Jiangsu Province have alternated in hosting its meetings in order to promote concrete cooperation in areas of mutual interest between Thailand and Jiangsu.  Jiangsu is an important province in China with the second largest GDP in the country and the highest GDP in the YRD.  It has also been a vital economic partner of Thailand.  In 2021, Thailand - Jiangsu trade value reached USD 18.5 billion, accounting for 38 percent of Thailand - YRD trade and 14 percent of total trade between Thailand and China.  Additionally, Thailand was Jiangsu’s top investment destination in ASEAN in 2021 with the investment worth USD 373.09 million, accounting for 30.15 percent of Jiangsu’s total investment in ASEAN.