China’s Xi Vows Closer Ties as Thai King Makes First Official Visit

Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged closer relations with Thailand on Friday during talks with King Maha Vajiralongkorn, the first reigning Thai monarch to visit China since diplomatic ties were established 50 years ago.

King Vajiralongkorn, who has rarely made overseas state visits since ascending to the throne nine years ago, is in Beijing with his wife, Queen Suthida, for his first official visit to China.

Describing the two countries as akin to “family,” Xi told the royals that China would “strengthen strategic alignment” with Thailand, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

He also mentioned that cooperation would be expanded on projects such as the China-Thailand railway link, as well as in emerging fields like artificial intelligence, aerospace, and the digital economy.

“King Vajiralongkorn’s choice of China as his first major country for a state visit… fully demonstrates the high importance he attaches to China-Thailand relations,” Xi said, as reported by CCTV.

While Thailand was a key ally of the United States during the Cold War, China is now the country’s largest trading partner, and relations between Bangkok and Beijing have warmed considerably in recent years.

The two nations have recently intensified efforts in a joint crackdown on telecommunications fraud and illegal gambling syndicates operating in border areas, mostly in Myanmar, which often target Chinese nationals.

On Wednesday, Thailand extradited Chinese national She Zhijiang, who is allegedly linked to a major scam operation in Myanmar. She had been in Thai custody since 2022.

China has also been involved in mediating a ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia, both key partners of Beijing, following border clashes earlier in the summer that resulted in dozens of deaths.

However, the truce has proven fragile, with Thailand suspending its implementation on Monday after claiming that a blast from a newly laid landmine had injured four of its soldiers.

Since then, both sides have exchanged accusations of new clashes along their border.