China News Service, Bangkok, March 23 (Reporter Li Yingmin) On the afternoon of the 23rd local time, the "Thailand-China Mutual Visa Exemption and Sustainable Economic and Trade Relations" forum hosted by the Thai-Chinese Journalists Association of Thailand was held in Bangkok. Han Zhiqiang, Chinese Ambassador to Thailand, delivered a keynote speech at the forum and said that mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Thailand benefits the two peoples.
Han Zhiqiang said that from March 1 this year, mutual visa exemption between China and Thailand took effect. The two countries have entered the visa-free era, and China-Thailand relations have a good momentum of development.
Han Zhiqiang said that China is Thailand's largest trading partner, most important source of foreign investment, and most important tourist source market. In 2023, the total trade volume between China and Thailand will be US$126.3 billion, with Chinese exports of US$75.7 billion and imports of US$50.6 billion; Chinese enterprises’ direct investment in Thailand will be US$4.6 billion, a year-on-year increase of 109%; there will be 3.52 million Chinese tourists in Thailand, generating 1,967 US dollars of tourism revenue for Thailand. billion baht (approximately US$5.4 billion).
Han Zhiqiang said that in recent years, Chinese enterprises’ investment in Thailand has increased rapidly. There are more than 850 Chinese-funded enterprises in Thailand registered with the Chinese Embassy in Thailand. Their products are sold all over the world, which has enhanced Thailand’s ability to earn foreign exchange from exports, increased tax revenue and employment opportunities for the local area, and helped tens of thousands of Thai youths master Technical skills.
Han Zhiqiang said that Thailand is the first country in Southeast Asia to launch 5G for commercial use. It is working hard to build smart terminals, smart hospitals, smart agriculture, and smart mines, so that 5G can empower all walks of life. This is a huge achievement for Thailand’s development, including The contribution of Chinese enterprises. As one of the first Chinese companies to enter the Thai market, Huawei has helped Thailand build the world's leading ICT infrastructure. It has also established the Huawei ASEAN Academy, which has trained 70,000 digital technology talents in Thailand in the past five years.
Han Zhiqiang said that next year China and Thailand will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. The development of relations between the two countries is standing at a new historical starting point. Close exchanges and cooperation between China and Thailand occupy the right time, place and people. It is the aspiration of the people and the general trend. (over)