Photo courtesy of Anadolu
Thailand and China agreed to launch a new dialogue platform that will bring together their foreign and defense ministers as both countries expanded cooperation on security, trade and emerging technologies.
The agreement was reached during talks in Beijing between Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties across multiple sectors.
Under the new 2+2 framework, the two governments will coordinate more closely on foreign policy and security matters. Thailand also offered to host the first meeting and agreed to broaden cooperation in defense capabilities and personnel training.
Both sides committed to intensifying efforts against transnational crime by increasing intelligence sharing and coordinating investigations targeting online scam networks, financial fraud and other cross-border offenses.
Anutin said Thailand remained committed to expanding partnerships with China in trade, investment, infrastructure, technology and regional connectivity. He also urged greater access for Thai agricultural and processed food exports to the Chinese market while reaffirming Bangkok’s target of completing the first phase of the Thailand-China high-speed railway by 2030.
The two countries also agreed to strengthen collaboration in artificial intelligence, the digital economy, innovation, health technology, nuclear energy and quantum research.
Following the meeting, the leaders witnessed the signing of 15 agreements covering areas such as higher education, supply chains, artificial intelligence, intellectual property, public health, anti-money laundering, satellite navigation, deep-space exploration and aquatic exports.
China remains Thailand’s largest trading partner and top market for agricultural exports. Tourism also continued to support bilateral ties, with millions of Chinese travelers visiting Thailand this year, while Anutin’s official visit to China included separate meetings with President Xi Jinping and other senior Chinese officials.
