BANGKOK, Thailand – Their Majesties the King and Queen’s State Visit to China at the invitation of President Xi Jinping has drawn significant attention from international media outlets, including Reuters and Nikkei, as it marks the first State Visit to China by the Thai monarch.
Reuters reported that Beijing and Bangkok established diplomatic relations in 1975, and their bilateral ties have deepened significantly since the end of the Cold War era, with substantial growth in two-way trade and investment. China is Thailand’s largest import partner, with Thailand importing $80 billion worth of Chinese goods last year. China is also a leading source of tourists for Thailand’s vital tourism sector and a major investor in industries such as automobiles. Chinese migration to Thailand spans centuries, and many prominent Thai families in industry, business, and politics share Chinese ancestry.
Meanwhile, Nikkei highlighted that the royal itinerary will showcase both China’s cultural heritage and its modern technological advancements. The program includes visits to the Lingguang Buddhist Temple in Beijing, Beijing Aerospace City, and the Innovative Center of Humanoid Robotics.
This historic visit will further strengthen the enduring friendship between Thailand and China, deepen mutual understanding, and foster closer people-to-people ties. Significantly, the visit coincides with both nations celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations. (NNT)
