Chinese President Xi Jinping said in a meeting with Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra in Beijing on Thursday that the two countries should deepen their trust in each other and expand cooperation to counter growing uncertainties in the world.
Xi cited projects such as a high-speed railway that will link Bangkok with southwestern China’s Kunming, adding that the digital economy and electric vehicles were areas where the countries could cooperate more.
“In the face of unprecedented changes not seen for a 100 years, China and Thailand should deepen mutual trust over strategic interests and firmly support each other,” China Central Television (CCTV) quoted Xi as saying.
His remarks follow U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to impose fresh tariffs of 10% on Chinese imports.
Paetongtarn is on an official visit to China from February 5-8, her first since taking office in August. The visit coincides with the 50th anniversary of China-Thailand diplomatic relations.
Online fraud and safety concerns have been at the forefront of issues that have been pain points between the two countries, particularly after Chinese actor Wang Xing went to Thailand for what he thought was an acting job but was abducted and later rescued from a scam centre in Myanmar.
Thailand, concerned about the impact on its vital tourism sector, has sought to allay safety concerns among the Chinese, who constitute the largest group of visitors to the Southeast Asian nation.
On Tuesday, the Thai government said it would cut electricity supply to some border areas with Myanmar in an attempt to curb illegal scam centres.
Xi said China appreciates the measures taken by Thailand to combat online gambling and telecom fraud, and the two sides should continue to “strengthen law enforcement, security and judicial cooperation to safeguard people’s lives and property.”