China, Thailand pledge to promote ties, boost BRI cooperation

Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha (4th R, front row) meets with Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (4th L, front row) at the Government House in Bangkok, Thailand, Aug. 1, 2019. (Xinhua/Rachen Sageamsak)

China and Thailand agreed to work together to promote the development of bilateral ties and high-quality cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) during a meeting Thursday between Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, vowing to accelerate the construction of the China-Thailand Railway.

Prayut said Thailand's new government will maintain the continuity of its policy towards China, and is committed to developing a strong Thailand-China relationship.

He said the BRI has greatly benefited regional countries and the world, and that the Thai side is willing to actively participate in its development and accelerate high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.

Prayut said his country is ready to work with China to push forward the construction of the Thailand-China railway, adding that Thailand welcomes Chinese companies to expand investment in the country.

Thailand admires China's great achievements in economic and social development and poverty reduction, and is willing to strengthen communication and cooperation with the Chinese side, said Prayut.

Thailand is also willing to deepen third-party market cooperation with China, carry out closer people-to-people exchanges so as to achieve greater development of bilateral ties, the prime minister said.

For his part, Wang conveyed the cordial greetings and congratulations of Chinese leaders to the re-elected Thai prime minister.

Hailing the traditional China-Thailand friendship, Wang said that the two countries have made remarkable achievements in jointly building the BRI, which not only brings tangible benefits to people of both countries, but also contributes to regional connectivity and development.

China and Thailand should increase high-level exchanges, share experiences on governance, including poverty alleviation, deepen synergy of development strategies, expand trade, create new growth areas of cooperation, such as innovation and artificial intelligence, and jointly explore third-party markets, said Wang.

China is ready to import more high-quality agricultural products from Thailand and upgrade the China-Thailand comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, he added.

China fully supports Thailand in fulfilling its responsibilities and successfully hosting the related meetings as the rotating chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) this year, said the Chinese official.