Chinese premier discusses investment, technology and vehicle cooperation with Thai king

Chinese Premier Li Qiang met Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn in Bangkok on Saturday and called for closer cooperation in investment, technological innovation and new-energy vehicles. The meeting formed part of Li's official visit to Thailand and focused on the political relationship alongside practical economic and people-to-people links.

Li conveyed greetings from Chinese President Xi Jinping. He referred to the Thai king's state visit to China last year and the understandings reached then on developing bilateral relations. Describing the two countries as being "as close as one family", Li said that longstanding ties were an advantage for cooperation. That description was the premier's diplomatic assessment, not a new legal agreement.

Practical cooperation remains the focus

The premier said economic and trade cooperation had continued to grow despite international difficulties. He expressed appreciation for the Thai royal family's role in promoting ties and said China was ready to maintain close exchanges under the guidance of the two heads of state. Investment, technological innovation and new-energy vehicles were among the areas he identified for expanded cooperation.

Li also called for deeper people-to-people exchanges and said the purpose of closer cooperation should be economic and social development that benefits people in both countries. The account of the meeting did not announce investment totals, a new vehicle project or a timetable for implementing a specific commercial deal. Those possible areas of work should therefore not be read as completed transactions.

The king asked Li to pass on his greetings and best wishes to Xi and recalled his own visit to China. He said the visit had produced a fruitful meeting and expressed the view that Li's trip would consolidate the relationship and deepen practical cooperation. The immediate outcome reported was an exchange of diplomatic commitments and priorities, with the economic areas left for further cooperation.