Sihasak emphasized that the historic visit to China has elevated the Thailand-China strategic partnership to comprehensive cooperation, advancing quality investment attraction and supporting the digital economy, with hopes for President Xi Jinping to visit Thailand next year. It signals a new level of bilateral cooperation.
On 20 July 2026 in Beijing, Sihasak Puangketkaew, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, said in an interview during the official visit to the People's Republic of China with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Minister of Interior that this was the current government's first official visit to China and was highly successful, with meetings held with top Chinese leaders including President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.
Sihasak stated that both sides reaffirmed the Thailand-China relationship as a "comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership," the highest level of relations, encompassing bilateral cooperation, regional security, and ASEAN framework collaboration. They also discussed preparations to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2027, with Thailand hoping President Xi Jinping will make an official visit to Thailand upon the invitation of His Majesty the King.
On the economic front, Thailand emphasized its position on attracting quality investment, especially in future industries aligned with the development of the digital and green economies, including the electric vehicle (EV) industry, which will enhance the country’s long-term competitiveness.
A key achievement of this visit includes the opening of a new Board of Investment (BOI) office in Chengdu to support investment from western China, and the historic business seminar attended by over 150 Thai private sector executives who met and matched with Chinese private sector partners to expand trade and investment opportunities between the two countries.
Additionally, the delegation visited the headquarters of a leading artificial intelligence (AI) technology company in Beijing, which expressed readiness to be a partner in developing AI technology in Thailand. They proposed that Thailand develop a national AI strategic plan to systematically guide the development and application of the technology.
Sihasak also said that on security matters, Thailand and China agreed to establish a "2+2" consultation mechanism involving foreign and defense ministers from both countries, with China offering to host the first meeting, aiming to elevate cooperation in security.
Thailand stressed the utmost importance of cooperating to suppress online crime networks and scam operations. The cooperation will integrate all dimensions, including law enforcement, combating human trafficking, and anti-money laundering efforts, to address these issues concretely.