China and Thailand have pledged to strengthen their collaboration to crack down on online scams, human trafficking, and other transnational crimes plaguing Southeast Asia.
In a joint statement released on Saturday, the two nations emphasized the urgency of addressing the growing menace of online scam operations, which have become increasingly rampant in countries like Myanmar, Cambodia, and Thailand. These scams often involve criminal groups luring individuals with false promises of high-paying jobs, only to traffic them into secretive compounds where they are forced to perpetrate online fraud targeting victims globally, including in the Chinese mainland.
“Both sides stressed the necessity of enhancing cooperation to combat these transnational crimes,” the statement read. “They agreed to establish effective coordination mechanisms for tackling these crimes at an early stage and to promote judicial cooperation among Lancang-Mekong countries.”
The commitment comes as China and Thailand mark the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic ties. The two countries also reaffirmed their dedication to strengthening military exchanges, joint training, defense industry collaboration, capacity building, and technology transfer to promote regional peace and stability.
Beyond security, China and Thailand are focused on deepening cooperation in areas such as high-quality development, clean energy, the digital economy, and green growth. They aim to boost bilateral trade by expanding market access, promoting high-quality products, and enhancing e-commerce collaboration.
Connectivity plays a key role in their shared vision for regional integration. Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, including accelerating the China-Thailand railway project, to enhance regional connectivity and shared development.
The enhanced partnership between China and Thailand signals a unified front against the challenges posed by transnational crimes and underscores their commitment to fostering stability and prosperity in the region.
