Li calls for strengthening Sino-Thai economic ties

Detailed summary

Premier Li Qiang (left) meets with Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn in Bangkok, Thailand, on Saturday. XINHUA Premier Li Qiang has underlined the need for China and Thailand to build…

By ZHANG YUNBI in Beijing and YANG WANLI in Bangkok | chinadaily.com.cn | Updated: 2026-11-15 23:36

Premier Li Qiang has underlined the need for China and Thailand to build on their stable ties, better protect the rights and interests of investors and step up collaboration in cutting-edge sectors during his meetings with Thai leaders and corporate executives in Bangkok over the weekend.

Li was on his first official visit to the Southeast Asian country from Friday to Sunday. After wrapping up his visit to Thailand, Li arrived in the Philippines on Sunday to attend the 29th China-Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit in Manila.

When meeting with Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn on Saturday, Li conveyed President Xi Jinping's cordial greetings to the king, and said that "China and Thailand are as close as one family", which is a unique advantage in bilateral relations.

Recalling his state visit to China last year, the Thai king said that his meeting with Xi was fruitful and remained fresh in his memory.

Li said China stands ready to work with Thailand to maintain close exchanges, expand cooperation in areas including investment, technological innovation and new energy vehicles, and deepen people-to-people exchanges.

In a meeting with Sophon Zaram, president of Thailand's National Assembly and speaker of the House of Representatives, Li said China is ready to accelerate the construction of the China-Thailand railway, strengthen collaborative innovation and jointly promote industrial upgrading.

The two sides should also strengthen coordination and cooperation in multilateral affairs, and the legislative bodies of the two countries should strengthen exchanges and cooperation, he added.

Sophon said the Thai parliament stands ready to provide a sound legal environment and safeguards for practical and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two sides.

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