The Permanent Secretary discussed and reviewed Thailand and China relations especially on alleviating the COVID-19 situation including research and development of vaccines, trade and investment, facilitating travels for Thai students to return to China to continue their studies and regional and international issues in the 5th Thailand - China Strategic Dialogue.

On 25 May 2021 at 14.30 - 17.30 hrs. (Thailand local time), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand hosted the 5th Thailand - China Strategic Dialogue co-chaired by H.E. Mr. Thani Thongphakdi, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand and H.E. Mr. Wu Jianghao, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China via teleconference.

The Meeting reviewed the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership between Thailand and China since the 4th Strategic Dialogue in 2019 in Beijing and followed up on the implementation of the 3rd Joint Action Plan on Thailand - China Strategic Cooperation (2017 - 2021), as well as discussed ways to advance bilateral relations in the post-COVID-19 situation.

Both sides were satisfied with the developments in relations despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. These are evidenced by regular exchanges of high-level visits and meetings, particularly the telephone conversation between the Prime Minister of Thailand and the President of the People’s Republic of China on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in July 2020 and the official visit by the State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs of China in October 2019, an increase in trade and investment, and enhanced connectivities with the signing of the 2.3 contract under the Thailand - China Railway Cooperation Project.

Both sides expressed appreciation for the mutual assistance extended to each other in alleviating the COVID-19 situation. The Thai side thanked the Chinese side for cooperation on the procurement and donation of COVID-19 vaccines, while the Chinese side expressed readiness to further cooperate with the Thai side on this matter, including the research and development of vaccines with a view to developing Thailand as a vaccine production base.

The Meeting discussed cooperation in post COVID-19 socio-economic recoveries through the promotion of trade and investment, including in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) of Thailand, facilitation of cross-border travel and economic activities, enhanced connectivities between EEC and Greater Bay Area (GBA), alignment of Thailand’s Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) economy model with China’s 14th Five-Year Plan to promote sustainable development and green economy, digital technology and innovation as well as exchange of best practices in poverty alleviation.

In this regard, both sides agreed to convene the 7th Joint Committee on Trade, Investment and Economic Cooperation, the 23rd Sino - Thai Joint Committee on the Scientific and Technical Cooperation, and the 2nd Thailand - China Ministerial Dialogue on Digital Economic Cooperation by this year. The Thai side expressed hope that the Chinese side would consider the requests on the resumption of commercial flights by Thai airlines to China and facilitating travels for Thai students to return to China to continue their studies in due course. The Meeting also supported the conclusion of the drafting of the 4th Joint Action Plan (2022- 2027) and the draft Cooperation Plan on Economic Silk Road and Maritime Silk Road in the 21st century within this year.

The two Co-Chairs exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest, including the convening of the Special ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting to commemorate the 30th anniversary of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations and the 6th Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on 7-8 June 2021 in Chongqing, as well as cooperation in the Ayeyawady - Chao Phraya - Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS), of which China is a Development Partner. In this regard, both sides reaffirmed the determination to synergise cooperation between MLC and ACMECS. Both sides also discussed the situation in the South China Sea and the situation in Myanmar. The Thai side expressed appreciation for China’s support for the role and efforts of ASEAN on Myanmar, including the implementation of the Five Point Consensus as reached at the ASEAN Leaders’ Meeting on 24 April 2021.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to multilateralism and consideration to supporting each other’s candidatures to the International Law Commission (ILC), United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), and International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council. On this occasion, the Chinese side expressed support to Thailand’s hosting of APEC in 2022 while the Thai side looked forward to having the opportunity to welcome the President of the People’s Republic of China to attend the APEC Leaders’ Meeting.