Xi Jinping pledges deeper ties during Thai king’s first China visit

Al Jazeera
Al Jazeera
18h ago 6 views
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn have pledged to enhance cooperation during the king's first official visit to China. This visit signifies a deepening relationship between the two nations.
Xi Jinping pledges deeper ties during Thai king’s first China visit
A What happened
King Maha Vajiralongkorn of Thailand has made his first official visit to China, where he met with President Xi Jinping. Xi described the two nations as 'family' and expressed a commitment to strengthen strategic alignment. The discussions included expanding cooperation on a railway link and in emerging sectors like artificial intelligence and the digital economy. The king referred to the relationship as 'brotherly cooperation' and showed interest in deepening exchanges. This visit is notable as Thailand has historically been a U.S. ally, but China is now its largest trading partner. The two countries are also collaborating on issues like telecommunications fraud and illegal gambling. Recent tensions with Cambodia were addressed, with China advocating for a ceasefire following border clashes. However, the situation remains delicate, with ongoing accusations of violations.

Key insights

  • 1

    First Royal Visit to China

    This marks the first official visit by a reigning Thai monarch to China.

  • 2

    Strengthening Strategic Ties

    Xi Jinping emphasized the need for closer cooperation in various sectors.

  • 3

    Historical Context

    Thailand has shifted from being a U.S. ally to strengthening ties with China.

Takeaways

The visit of King Maha Vajiralongkorn to China highlights a significant shift in Thailand's foreign relations, emphasizing closer ties with China amid regional tensions.

Topics

Economy International Affairs Diplomacy