Thai, Chinese leaders vow to bolster bilateral cooperation
Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha and Chinese President Xi Jinping have discussed measures to tighten bilateral ties, especially in boosting regional connectivity through roads and along the Mekong River.
Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha (L) and Chinese President Xi Jinping (Photo: Getty Images)
Bangkok (VNA) – Thai PrimeMinister Prayut Chan-ocha and ChinesePresident Xi Jinping have discussed measures to tighten bilateral ties,especially in boosting regional connectivity through roads and along the MekongRiver.
They had a meeting on September 4 on thesidelines of the Dialogue of Emerging Market and Developing Countries inChina’s Xiamen city.
Xi appreciated Thailand's activeparticipation in the Belt and Road Initiative, adding that he is willing tostrengthen cooperation with Thailand in areas of investment, railways, e-finance,digital economy and e-commerce.
Meanwhile Prayut said Thailand is willingto maintain high-level contacts with China, deepen bilateral and multi-lateralcooperation, consolidate political mutual trust, expand economic and tradeexchanges, promote mutual investment, enhance people-to-people exchanges andstrengthen cooperation in such fields as education, scientific research and infrastructure.
Thailand supports and will activelyparticipate in the Belt and Road Initiative and the Lancang-Mekong cooperation,he added.
After the meeting, the two leaderswitnessed the signing of four cooperation agreements, including the railproject from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima worth 3.5 billion THB (105.5 millionUSD) and a memorandum of understanding on cooperation within the framework ofthe Belt and Road Initiative.-VNA
The Thai-Chinese railway scheme is poised to suffer another setback if the Chinese side fails to submit the project’s design document needed to estimate the rail’s costs on time, the Thai media said on March 28.
Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on June 15 issued a decree on pushing forward the construction of a railway linking Thailand and China, according to Thailand’s Royal Gazette.
The Thailand-China railway project will give priority to hiring Thai workers as up to 75 percent of its budget or about 136 billion THB will be used for the work.
Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha on June 21 said the Thailand-China high-speed rail project needs support of Thai people for its implementation, according to local media.
Talking to the Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Vietnam’s Revolutionary Press Day (June 21, 1925–2025), Nikulina, who is also a veteran journalist of Russia’s Sputnik News, emphasised the vital role of mainstream journalism in defending the truth and maintaining public trust.
The Ministry of Commerce reported that imports also rose 18% to 29.9 billion USD during the same period, resulting in a trade surplus of 1.1 billion USD. In May alone, Thailand posted a 4.6 billion USD trade surplus with the US and a 4.1 billion USD trade deficit with China.
The World Bank will provide a 2.1 billion USD financing package for Indonesia, focusing oncreating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and enhancing access to clean energy across the country.
Member states also reviewed progress on six priority areas for 2025, including the development of an underground cable framework, the follow-up agreement to the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA), the launch of the ASEAN Energy Efficiency Database, and the rollout of an investment platform for sustainable building initiatives.
In March, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with Formula 1 chief Stefano Domenicali and said Thailand would commission a feasibility study into hosting a Grand Prix on a Bangkok street circuit from 2028.
The proposed giant sea wall aligns with bilateral cooperation and has been designated a national priority, considering that several regions in Indonesia are experiencing land subsidence of 10–15 centimetres per year.
International flights were cancelled including Jetstar and Virgin Australia flights to cities across Australia, and flights of Air India, Air New Zealand, Singapore's TigerAir and China's Juneyao Airlines.
The partnership aims to strengthen collaboration in the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources, including gold, copper, and manganese, as well as in the development of steel, aluminum, and renewable energy industries.
The Thai cabinet has approved a seven-year EV bus leasing scheme proposed by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) for the capital, with an estimated cost of 15.35 billion THB (over 470 million USD).
Aircraft are prohibited from flying below 6,000 metres in the vicinity of the volcano, and should also remain alert to the presence of volcanic ash, which can disrupt flights.
Laos declared the transfer of the press management functions of five key media agencies and associated personnel to the Propaganda and Training Board of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee.
Univers said in a statement that the new centre will serve as a hub for innovation, bringing together digital intelligence and climate ambition to accelerate Sarawak's transition toward a low-carbon, tech-enabled economy.
The target is to be completely free from plastic waste within two years. This can only be achieved if all parties implement the initiative with strong discipline.
Indonesia is taking new steps to improve protections for fishery workers, amid concerns over low wages, harsh working conditions, and limited access to social welfare.
The 2025 ASEAN- the Republic of Korea (RoK) Connectivity Forum that opened in Jakarta on June 17 reaffirmed a shared commitment to shaping a connected, resilient future by advancing the ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan.
The desk will serve as a service centre providing market intelligence, business licensing guidance, facilitating business cooperation, identifying potential investment projects, and harmonising regulatory policies between the two parties.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim noted that the Asia-Pacific region accounted for half of global energy consumption and 60% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2024. Despite this, regional countries, including eight of ten ASEAN member states, remain committed to climate goals, including net-zero emissions and tripling global renewable capacity by 2030.
Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha (L) and Chinese President Xi Jinping (Photo: Getty Images) 
