Beijing, China — In a significant meeting on the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meetings, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa pledged to elevate the longstanding friendship between their nations to new heights.
As China and Thailand mark the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations, Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, emphasized the importance of working together to build a community with a shared future. He highlighted that the spirit of “China and Thailand are as close as one family” has stood the test of time.
Wang Yi expressed China’s commitment to aligning development strategies with Thailand and deepening cooperation in areas such as digital economy, artificial intelligence, cross-border e-commerce, and green development. He also called for accelerating the construction of the China-Thailand railway to enhance connectivity and promote shared prosperity among China, Laos, and Thailand.
Addressing global trade challenges, Wang Yi criticized unilateral tariff impositions that undermine free trade and disrupt global supply chains. He conveyed confidence that Thailand and other ASEAN members will protect their legitimate interests and oppose unilateralism and bullying tactics. China is dedicated to signing the protocol for the Version 3.0 China–ASEAN Free Trade Area within the year to expand the common market and support multilateral trading systems.
Regarding recent border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia, Wang Yi expressed hope that both sides would resolve their differences through dialogue and maintain stability. He affirmed China’s willingness to play a constructive role in promoting peaceful relations between its neighbors.
Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa praised the enduring trust and respect between Thailand and China over the past five decades. He reaffirmed Thailand’s adherence to the one-China principle and eagerness to enhance cooperation in connectivity, trade, agriculture, and combating transnational crime.
Maris emphasized that disputes should not be settled by force and appreciated China’s objective and balanced stance in mediating discussions. He expressed Thailand’s readiness to resolve issues with Cambodia through bilateral channels and strengthen the spirit of good neighborliness.
