During 16-19 October 2023, H.E. Mr. Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, accompanied H.E. Mr. Srettha Thavisin, Prime Minister to attend the 3rd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing and the Official Visit to the People’s Republic of China – with important activities as follows

1. Meeting with the private sector: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs accompanied the Prime Minister during the discussions with major players from the Chinese private sector such as CCRC Group, Xiaomi, Alibaba and Huawei, with potential to seek investment in Thailand, and reaffirmed confidence among investors.  The Royal Thai Government stressed the importance of investment in supply chains aiming to create jobs, foster technology transfer to Thailand, as well as driving forward the Thai economy and the region and reinforcing Thailand’s role in regional connectivity.

Furthermore, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs attended Thailand-China Investment Forum co-hosted by the Board of Investment of Thailand (BOI) and the China Council for the Promoting of International Trade (CCPIT). During this session, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs stressed that Thailand is open to investment, the Government pursues proactive economic diplomacy policy and Thailand is ready to further enhance the close relations between both countries, including facilitating investments from China in all aspects.  

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs also accompanied the Prime Minister to the Roundtable Discussion entitled “Strengthening Thailand-China Business Partnership”, side event organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Royal Thai Embassy, Beijing. The event saw the participation of 50 representatives from 20 companies from the Thai private sector under the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry, and Banking (JSCCIB). The Thai participants discussed with their Chinese counterparts from both the private and public sectors for instance the National Office of Port Administration; the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GAAC); Intellectual Property Protection Department, China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA); China - ASEAN Business Council. Important issues raised by the private sector to the Prime Minister include the promotion of business pairing; tourism; digital economy; logistics; and intellectual property issues.

2. The 3rd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs accompanied PM to the Forum’s opening session. On this occasion, the Chinese side, as host of the event, marked the 10-year anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to propose take eight major steps to support high-quality Belt and Road cooperation including (1) Build a multidimensional belt and road connectivity network; (2) Support an open world economy; (3) Carry out practical cooperation to support high-quality Belt and Road construction; (4) Promote green development; (5) Advance scientific and technological innovation; (6) Support people-to-people exchanges; (7) Promote integrity-based Belt and Road cooperation; and (8) Strengthen institutional building for international Belt and Road cooperation. These steps, in turn, complement Thailand’s economic development measures including the opening of new markets, digital transformation and sustainable development. Later in the same day, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs attended the High-Level Forum entitled “Green Silk Road for Harmony with Nature” during which the Prime Minister delivered Thailand statement.

3. Official visit to the People’s Republic of China: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs joined the Prime Minister to the following bilateral discussions and activities:

3.1 Bilateral meeting with H.E. Mr. Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress - Both sides discussed important issues including exchanges of high-level visits, increased two-way trade and investment, connectivity, best practices on national development and poverty alleviation, as well as cooperation at multilateral fora. Both sides appreciated the existing close and cordial parliamentary ties, and agreed to promote more exchanges between the two parliaments, where Chairman Zhao accepted in principle, the invitation extended by the Thai side for him to pay a visit to Thailand at the earliest opportunity.

3.2 Bilateral Meeting with H.E. Mr. Li Qiang, Prime Minister and the Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China - Both sides discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation in various fields, especially the promotion of connectivity through the Thailand - China high - speed railway project, as well as facilitation of trade and promotion of investment. In particular, through the export of agricultural products and live cattle from Thailand to China and encouraging Chinese investors to look into Thailand’s mega projects. They also agreed to increase cooperation to strengthen their tourism industries as well as to intensify joint efforts to combat transnational crimes. Both sides also discussed cooperation at multilateral frameworks, such as the Mekong - Lancang Cooperation and ASEAN - China. Premier Li Qiang also accepted Prime Minister Srettha’s invitation for him to pay an official visit to Thailand as soon as possible.

After the discussion, both Prime Ministers witnessed the signing of seven bilateral cooperation documents in the areas of digital economy, exportation of fresh passion fruits from Thailand, culture, film, mass communication, the establishment of coordination mechanism for the promotion of the BRI, and cooperation between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two countries. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, on behalf of the Royal Thai Government, signed 3 documents including (1) Protocol on the Phytosanitary Requirements for the Export of Fresh Passion Fruits from Thailand to China between the Ministry of Agricultural and Cooperatives of the Kingdom of Thailand and the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China; (2) Memorandum of Understanding on Deepening Cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs the Kingdom of Thailand and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China; and (3) Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand and the National Development and Reform Commission of the People’s Republic of China for the Establishment of a Coordinating Mechanism for the Joint Promotion of the Belt and Road Initiative.

3.3 Courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China - Both sides reiterated their intention to strengthen their mutually beneficial cooperation, with a view to building a Thailand - China community with a shared future for enhanced stability, prosperity and sustainability, through regular exchanges of high-level visits, sharing of experience in governance, promotion of Thailand - Laos - China connectivity, increased trade on agricultural products, investment in targeted industries (such as EV, semiconductor, clean energy, and BCG industries), and Thailand’s mega projects to develop new infrastructure, as well as the promotion of tourism industry. The Chinese side expressed appreciation on Thailand’s visa exemption scheme for Chinese tourists, to which the Thai side proposed that both sides resume talks on the agreement on mutual visa exemption for holders of ordinary passports. They also discussed cooperation in combating transnational crimes and cooperation at multilateral fora, such as the Mekong - Lancang Cooperation, ASEAN - China, and the United Nations. President Xi also accepted, in principle, the invitation extended by the Prime Minister Srettha for him to pay an official visit to Thailand.

On the same occasion, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs also discussed with H.E. Mr. Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, and Minister of Foreign Affairs. The Thai side thanked the Chinese side in facilitating matters pertaining to flight clearances to support the repatriation of Thai nationals from Israel and for the preparation of this official visit which included the discussion with high-level representatives of China – culminated in the fruitful outcomes of this visit.

On the same day, a Joint Press Communiqué between the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand and the Government of the People’s Republic of China was issued as an outcome document of the Prime Minister’s official visit to China.