Xi meets Thai PM

BEIJING -- President Xi Jinping met with Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra in Beijing on Thursday.

Xi said that this year marks the 50th anniversary of China-Thailand diplomatic relations as well as the "Golden Jubilee of China-Thailand Friendship." The two sides should build on past achievements and work together to advance the building of the China-Thailand community with a shared future to deliver more benefits to the two peoples, the region and the world at large.

In the face of profound changes unseen in a century, China and Thailand should consolidate strategic mutual trust, firmly support each other, and respond to uncertainties in the external environment with the stability and certainty of China-Thailand relations, Xi said.

China is ready to work with Thailand to align development strategies, expand mutually beneficial cooperation, implement well flagship projects such as the China-Thailand Railway, and promote the vision of interconnected development of China, Laos and Thailand to achieve more fruitful outcomes as soon as possible, he said.

Xi called for concerted efforts to deepen cooperation in emerging industries such as the digital economy and new energy vehicles, and build more stable and smooth industrial and supply chains.

Noting that China appreciates Thailand's effective measures against online gambling and telecom fraud, Xi said that both sides should continue to strengthen law enforcement, security and judicial cooperation to safeguard the safety of people's lives and property as well as the orderly exchanges and cooperation among regional countries.

Xi called on both sides to launch a variety of activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic ties and increase the mutual understanding and amity between the two peoples.

China supports Thailand's role as co-chair of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation and congratulates Thailand on becoming a BRICS partner country, Xi added.

China stands ready to work closely with Thailand to firmly defend the international system with the United Nations at its core and the international order based on international law, enhance unity and cooperation in the Global South, safeguard world peace and promote common development, he said.

Paetongtarn said she is delighted to visit China at a time when the two countries are celebrating the "golden jubilee" of their friendship. Thailand and China have forged a special friendly and cooperative relationship over the past five decades.

Reaffirming Thailand's adherence to the one-China policy, she said Thailand looks forward to working with China to boost high-level exchanges, enhance cooperation in the fields of connectivity, economy, trade and agriculture, and promote people-to-people exchanges to usher in the next five decades of shared peace and prosperity.

Thailand is willing to strengthen law enforcement cooperation with China and other neighboring countries, and take resolute and effective measures to crack down on cross-border crimes, including online gambling and telecom fraud, she said.

Calling China a responsible major country in international affairs that firmly safeguards the interests of developing nations, Paetongtarn said Thailand is willing to strengthen coordination and collaboration with China to address global challenges.