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Bilateral Relations
Last Update: 2023/12/18
2023-12-19 17:54

I.Political Relations

China and Thailand established diplomatic relations on July 1, 1975. Since then, the relationship between the two countries has consistently grown and remained stable. 

In August 2001, both governments issued a joint communiqué, agreeing to enhance strategic cooperation. This marked an important milestone in their bilateral relations. In April 2012, China and Thailand took their partnership further by establishing a comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation. This was followed by the release of the Long Range Plan for the Development of China-Thailand Relations in October 2013. Recognizing the importance of collaboration, both countries signed the Memorandum of Understanding in September 2017, which aimed at jointly promoting the construction of the Belt and Road initiative. The governments of China and Thailand issued a joint press statement in November 2019, highlighting their commitment to strengthening their ties. This was further emphasized in November 2022, when they issued the Joint Statement on Building a Community with a More Stable, Prosperous, and Sustainable Future, and signed the Cooperation Plan on Jointly Promoting the Construction of the Belt and Road. Most recently, in October 2023, both governments issued a joint news communiqué between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand.

The two countries maintain close high-level exchanges. Chinese leaders such as President Jiang Zemin (1999), Chairman Li Peng (1999, 2002), Vice President Hu Jintao (2000), Premier Zhu Rongji (2001), President Hu Jintao (2003), Premier Wen Jiabao (2003, 2009, 2012), Chairman Wu Bangguo (2010), Vice President Xi Jinping (2011), Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Jia Qinglin (2012), and Premier Li Keqiang (2013, 2014, 2019), Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Yu Zhengsheng (2015) and President Xi Jinping(2022) have successively visited Thailand or attended meetings in Thailand. In 2000, Queen Sirikit of Thailand visited China on behalf of King Bhumibol. Crown Prince (at the time) Vajiralongkorn, Princess Sirindhorn, Princess Chulabhorn, Princess Bajrakitiyabha, Princess Sirivannavari and other members of the royal family have visited China multiple times. Former prime ministers, parliament speakers, and military leaders have also visited China. In July 2020, President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Prayut had a phone conversation. Premier Li Keqiang and State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi exchanged telegrams with Prime Minister Prayut and Foreign Minister Don on the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Thailand. In October of the same year, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi paid an official visit to Thailand. In July 2021, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, Li Zhanshu, held a video meeting with Chuan Leekpai, President of the Thai Parliament and Speaker of the House of the Representatives. In February 2022, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Thai Princess Sirindhorn, who attended the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics. In November, President Xi Jinping went to Bangkok to attend the 29th APEC Leaders’ Informal Meeting and visited Thailand. In October, 2023 Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin attended the 3rd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and paid an official visit to China. In December, Wang Yi, member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, met with Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Parnpree, attending the 8th Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Beijing.

Both countries have established embassies in each other’s country, while China has consulates general in Chiang Mai, Songkhla, and Khong Kaen, and a consulate office in Phuket. Hong Kong also has an economic and trade office in Bangkok. On the other hand, Thailand has consulates general in Guangzhou, Kunming, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Chengdu, Xiamen, Xi’an, Nanning, and Qingdao.

II. Economic and trade relations

In terms of economic and trade relations, China is Thailand’s largest trading partner among ASEAN countries, while Thailand is China’s third largest trading partner. In 2022, bilateral trade between the two countries reached 135 billion US dollars, showing a year-on-year increase of 3%. China’s exports amounted to 78.48 billion US dollars, marking a year-on-year increase of 13.4%, while imports reached 56.22 billion US dollars, indicating a year-on-year decrease of 8.6%. From January to October 2023, the bilateral trade volume reached 105.1 billion US dollars. Moreover, China’s non-financial direct investment in Thailand reached 1.29 billion US dollars in 2022, showing a year-on-year increase of 38.8%. As of the end of 2022, Chinese companies in Thailand have signed contracts worth a total of 49.71 billion US dollars and completed a turnover of 32.65 billion US dollars.

The two countries established a ministerial level Economic and Trade Joint Committee in 1985, which was later promoted to Vice Premier level in June 2003. So far, six meetings have been held between the two sides. The first meeting of the Joint Committee, jointly chaired by Vice Premier Wu Yi and Vice Premier Chavalit, took place in Beijing in July 2004. The fifth meeting of the Joint Committee was jointly chaired by State Councilor Wang Yong and Thai Deputy Prime Minister Somkid in Beijing in December 2016. Furthermore, the sixth meeting of the Joint Committee was jointly chaired by State Councilor Wang Yong and Thai Deputy Prime Minister Somkid in Bangkok in August 2018. 

Various agreements have been signed between the two countries, including the Promotion and Protection of Investment Agreement (1985), the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Prevention of Tax Evasion Agreement (1986), the Memorandum of Understanding on Trade, Economic and Technical Cooperation (1997), and the Bilateral Currency Exchange Agreement (2011, 2014). In October 2003, the two countries implemented a zero tariff arrangement for vegetables and fruits within the framework of the China ASEAN Free Trade Area. Additionally, in June 2004, Thailand recognized China’s full market economy status.

III. Exchange and cooperation in other fields

The exchange and cooperation between the two countries in various fields, including technology, education, culture, health, justice, and military, are steadily developing. Over the years, several agreements have been signed to strengthen these partnerships. These agreements include the Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement (1978), the Tourism Cooperation Agreement (1993), the Extradition Treaty (1993), the Civil and Commercial Judicial Assistance and Arbitration Cooperation Agreement (1994), the Cultural Cooperation Agreement (2001), the Criminal Judicial Assistance Treaty (2003), the Agreement on Mutual Recognition of Higher Education Qualifications and Degrees (2007), and the Education Cooperation Agreement (2009). In addition, in 2001, the defense ministries of both countries established an annual defense and security consultation mechanism to enhance cooperation in this area. To further promote friendship and understanding, the Thailand-China Friendship Association was established in 1976, followed by the China-Thailand Friendship Association in 1987. 

Furthermore, the two countries have established 41 groups of friendly cities and provincial capitals, strengthening people-to-people connections and fostering mutual understanding.

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