Li Qiang Urges Chinese, Thai Firms to Deepen Cooperation

Chinese Premier Li Qiang has called on Chinese and Thai companies to take bilateral business ties to a higher level, urging deeper cooperation in artificial intelligence, clean energy, biomedicine and farm trade, Xinhua reported. Li made the remarks on Saturday at a symposium with entrepreneurs from both countries in Bangkok, attended alongside Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.

Li Qiang call to business

According to Xinhua, Li said new opportunities are emerging for economic and trade cooperation between the two countries. He pointed to progress on the China-Thailand railway, the official opening of China’s Pinglu Canal, and closer links in trade rules, standards and finance.

Li called for cooperation built around digital intelligence and green development, and for wider trade in agricultural and food products. He also urged industrial synergy between the two economies, including the alignment and mutual recognition of industry standards, and encouraged Chinese firms to expand localised operations in Thailand.

The premier cited the entry into force of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 Upgrade Protocol as a policy dividend for businesses, Xinhua said.

In separate talks with Anutin on Friday, Li said China would speed up consultations on a new five-year plan for economic and trade cooperation, push for early mutual protection of geographical indication products, and expand cooperation in finance, new energy, semiconductors and AI. He said China would import more quality Thai products and encourage Chinese companies to invest in Thailand. The two sides signed several cooperation documents covering areas including the automotive industry, agriculture and customs, according to Xinhua.

Thailand points to rising investment

Anutin described China as Thailand’s most important trading partner and called for expanding cooperation in electric vehicles, agriculture, investment and connectivity, Xinhua reported. He said Thailand will introduce more policies to support the long-term operations of Chinese enterprises.

At a business roundtable at Bangkok’s Mandarin Oriental hotel, attended by more than 200 officials and business leaders, Anutin said Chinese investment applications had risen, particularly in electric vehicles, agriculture and technology, The Nation reported. Chinese companies applied for investment promotion for nearly 500 projects in the first nine months of this year, the highest of any country and more than one-third of all foreign investment projects, he said.

Anutin pointed to the Board of Investment’s FastPass system for coordinating major projects and proposed “Super License” legislation, according to The Nation. He also said Thailand would invite Chinese firms to develop curricula with Thai universities.

What’s next

Thailand aims to complete and open the first phase of the Thai-Chinese high-speed railway by 2030, with a second phase to link Thailand, Laos and China, The Nation reported. Anutin also pledged to work towards bringing the ACFTA 3.0 upgrade protocol into effect swiftly, the paper said.

Anutin said he and Li would jointly set the “direction of cooperation at the policy level”.

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