On October 30, Chinese Ambassador to Thailand, Lyu Jian, published a signed article entitled "China and Thailand develop hand-in-hand and it is the right time for East Asian cooperation" on Xinhua News. The full text is as follows:
Premier Li Keqiang is invited to attend a series of East Asian Cooperation Leaders' Meetings in Bangkok from November 2 to 5 and to pay an official visit to Thailand. This is the first visit to Thailand by Chinese Premier since the establishment of the new government of Thailand. It is also the second visit to Thailand by Premier Li Keqiang after five years. The visit is made at an important time and has attracted much attention.
Thailand is a good neighbor, friend and partner of China, and also a country with important influence in Asia. China has always attached great importance to developing relations with Thailand. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, and the 1.4 billion Chinese people have been rallied up unprecedentedly. We have strengthened our confidence and determination to manage our own affairs well and stand rock-firm in the family of nations under the guidance of President Xi Jinping's socialist ideology with Chinese characteristics in the new era. This year witnesses the coronation of the King Maha Vajiralongkorn of Thailand, marking Thailand’s official entrance into the era of Rama X. Both countries have entered a new stage of historical development, and China-Thailand comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation faces new and greater opportunities for development.
At present, the ties between China and Thailand are close. Especially, before the 70th anniversary of China’s National Day, Chinese President Xi Jinping conferred HRH Princess Sirindhorn China's highest state honor for foreigners, the "Medal of Friendship", personally, and HM the King of Thailand Maha Vajiralongkorn and Prime Minister Prayut sent a congratulatory message to Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang respectively, highlighting the strategic guidance and direct promotion of bilateral relations by leaders of both countries. China and Thailand are continuing to deepen the construction of the "belt and road", and accelerate the development of a number of key projects of interconnection, such as China-Thailand high-speed railway and three major airports in Thailand. China and Thailand are constantly enhancing economic and trade ties. China has become Thailand's largest trading partner for six consecutive years, with a year-on-year increase of 420% in direct investment in Thailand in the first half of this year. China and Thailand are constantly improving innovation and production capacity cooperation. Digital economy, modern logistics, 5G communication and other "future industries" are increasingly becoming new highlights of bilateral cooperation. China and Thailand are constantly expanding the "soft cooperation" between governance and social humanities, learning from each other in the areas of poverty reduction and poverty alleviation, environmental governance and so on. China and Thailand are constantly practicing the concept of harmonious coexistence, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation, and achieving shared growth through discussion and collaboration to benefit the peoples of both countries.
This year is also the opening year to implement the “vision 2030 of China-ASEAN strategic partnership” and the key year to advance the negotiation of the “agreement on regional comprehensive economic partnership”. The regional situation is generally stable. China-ASEAN relations keep pace with the times and are increasingly becoming a banner leading East Asian regional cooperation. During the series of meetings, Premier Li Keqiang will put forward many new cooperation initiatives, jointly plan the development direction with the leaders of ASEAN and regional countries, explore the construction path of East Asian economic community, promote all parties to focus on East Asia and the Asia Pacific, adhere to the principle of openness and inclusiveness, and carry out more practical cooperation. China is willing to build a closer community with a shared future through deepening China-ASEAN relations, promoting regional cooperation and building a high quality "belt and road" with all parties.
The world today is undergoing unprecedented changes. The downward pressure on the world economy is increasing, and protectionism and unilateralism are on the rise. However, the trend of peace, development, cooperation and win-win has not changed, the momentum of vigorous development of regional cooperation in East Asia has not changed, and the fate of China's integration with Thailand and other neighboring countries has not changed. Premier Li Keqiang's visit, opportune and significant, will vigorously promote China-Thailand relations, China-ASEAN relations and even the whole East Asia cooperation to a new level.
“The future is bright for people to make great efforts. It is the right time to sail in the wind.” All the sectors of the society in Thailand and regional countries are eagerly looking forward to Premier Li Keqiang's visit and to strengthening exchanges and cooperation with China. It is believed that Premier Li Keqiang's visit will provide China and Thailand an important opportunity to firmly promote bilateral comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, to work together in building a community of shared future for Asia and mankind, and to jointly usher in a broader and better future.