Thailand and China signed eight agreements on farm exports, manufacturing and security, with measures aimed at widening market access and connecting industries across the two economies.
Thailand’s Government Public Relations Department (PRD) said Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Chinese Premier Li Qiang witnessed the signing and exchange at Government House in Bangkok on Friday, Nov. 13.
The package includes plant-health protocols for fresh durian and salak shipments to China. In a pre-visit briefing, the PRD said the salak protocol could open a market worth at least 76 million baht a year. Other documents cover food safety, security cooperation, standards for weighing and measuring goods, and consular services.
The pre-visit briefing described the automotive memorandum’s planned scope as cooperation on electric and smart vehicles, battery manufacturing and recycling, and supply-chain links. It said the vocational education agreement would cover curriculum development and training, with exchange opportunities for students, teachers and specialists.
The Thai government named farmers, businesses and workers among the groups it expects to benefit, citing wider market access, workforce skills and opportunities for manufacturers to join international supply chains. The PRD said Li’s visit broke a seven-year gap in official trips to Thailand by Chinese premiers.
The signing followed earlier trade and security discussions between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow. The leaders also discussed cybersecurity and online crime. Thai officials said the two governments plan to prepare a separate memorandum on water management and sustainability, but announced no timetable.
