China-Thailand forum on governance held in Bangkok

The second China-Thailand High-Level Forum on Governance Experience Exchange was held at the National Defense College of Thailand in Bangkok, on Aug. 23. The event marked the 49th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Thailand, with the theme "Peaceful Development for Shared Prosperity." It gathered 120 representatives from governments, think tanks, media, business sectors, and youth from both countries. 

Yu Yunquan, vice president of China International Communications Group (CICG), addresses the second China-Thailand High-Level Forum on Governance Experience Exchange via video link on Aug. 23, 2024. [Photo/CICG]

Yu Yunquan, vice president of China International Communications Group (CICG), addressed the forum via video link. He highlighted the significance of the recently concluded third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, which laid out a blueprint for deepening China's reforms and advancing Chinese modernization. He emphasized that the session's decisions on improving mechanisms for high-level opening-up create new opportunities for global cooperation, especially cooperation with ASEAN nations. Yu called for China and Thailand to enhance media cooperation to foster mutual understanding, deepen think tank exchanges to build platforms for mutual trust, and encourage youth participation to strengthen friendship for future generations.

Thai Vice Minister for Commerce Puntil Jongjittrakoon addresses the second China-Thailand High-Level Forum on Governance Experience Exchange via video link on Aug. 23, 2024. [Photo/CICG]

Thai Vice Minister for Commerce Puntil Jongjittrakoon noted that the exchange of governance experience is a crucial mechanism for conducting strategic communication and building political trust between the Chinese and Thai governments. He also highlighted the significant progress in policy coordination between the two nations, including visa-free travel, the China-Laos-Thailand railway, and supply chain optimization, all of which are driving forces for enhanced economic cooperation.

Former Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva addresses the second China-Thailand High-Level Forum on Governance Experience Exchange via video link on Aug. 23, 2024. [Photo/CICG]

Former Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva reflected on the fruitful cooperation between Thailand and China over the past 49 years in trade, culture, and education. He emphasized that the exchange of governance experience is crucial to policy coordination and people-to-people connections. Abhisit expressed confidence that such exchanges will foster closer ties within the China-ASEAN cooperation framework, multilateral cooperation mechanisms, and regional partnerships, ultimately leading to a more closely-knit Thailand-China community with a shared future.

Zhao Mengtao, counsellor at the Chinese Embassy in Thailand, addresses the second China-Thailand High-Level Forum on Governance Experience Exchange via video link on Aug. 23, 2024. [Photo/CICG]

Zhao Mengtao, counsellor at the Chinese Embassy in Thailand, emphasized the need for both nations, as emerging markets and members of the Global South, to enhance political trust, deepen strategic cooperation, and exchange governance experiences. He expressed China's readiness to work with Thailand's new government to align development strategies and achieve shared growth.

The forum also featured two roundtable discussions on high-level opening-up, the Belt and Road Initiative, and the integration of China's and Thailand's new quality productive forces. 

CICG Asia-Pacific co-hosted the forum alongside other Chinese and Thai institutions.