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| Bilateral Relations |
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| Wednesday,April 25,2007 Posted: 15:26 BJT(0726 GMT) mofcom |
I. Political Relations
On July 1 1975, China and Thailand established Diplomatic relations. Since then, they have witnessed smooth development of their bilateral relations and frequent exchanges of high-level visits. Following are the Chinese leaders who have visited Thailand in the recent years: Vice-Premier Li Lanqing in 1998, President Jiang Zemin in 1999, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the NPC Li Peng in 1999, Vice-President Hu Jintao in 2000 and Premier Zhu Rongji in 2001. On the other hand, the Thai leaders who have visited China over the recent years are as follows: Queen Sirikit representing King in 2000, Crown Prince Vajiralong Korn in 1998, Princess Sirindhorn who visited China 15 times between 1981 and 2002, Princess Chulabhorn in 2000 and 2001 (these are main members of the Thai Royal family), as well as Prime Minister in 1999, Prime Minister Thaksin in 2001 and Chairman of the Congress Wanmuhamadnoor Matha in 1998.
In January 2002, Procurator-General of the Suoreme People's Procucatorate Han Shubing visited Thailand. In February the same year, Princess Chulabhorn visited China. In April, Chairman of the Thai Congress Uthai Pimchaichon attended the 3rd annual meeting of the Peace Association of the Asian Parliaments in Beijing and visited China on the way; and Prime Minister Thaksin attended the first annual meeting of Asian Forum in Boao Hainan. In July, Vice-Prime Minister cum Finance Minister Dr. Somkid Jatusripitak visited China. In August, Princess Chulabhorn came to China again to host the music and dancing soiree entitled China and Thailand Like One Family. In September, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the NPC Li Peng paid an official goodwill visit to Thailand; and while attending the summit for sustainable development in South Africa and the ASEM in Copenhagen, Premier Zhu Rongji met Princess Chulabhorn and Prim Minister Thaksin respectively. In October, Princess Sairindhorn visited China.
In January 2003, Vice-Premier Li Lanqing paid an official to Thailand. In February the same year, Prime Minister Thaksin paid a working visit to China. In April, Premier Wen Jiabao went to Thailand to attend the special meeting on the issue of SARS between the leaders of China and ASEAN countries. In addition, at the request of the Thai Government, Buddha's tooth sarira from Lingguang Temple of Beijing were sent to Thailand for worship between December 15, 2002 and March 1. 2003.
In 1981, a mechanism for consultations was established between the foreign ministries of the two countries, and 16 rounds of consultations have been held. Apart from having its embassy in the other country, China has established its consulates-general in Chiang Mai and Thailand its consulates-general in Guangzhou, Kunming, Shanghai and Hong Kong.
II. Economic Trade Relations and Economic Technological Cooperation
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Sino-Thai trade has seen fast development. In 2002, its volume reached US$ 8.5 billion, up 21.4% from 2001; of which China's exports amounted to US$ 2.96 billion and its imports US$ 5.6 billion, up 26.6% and 18.8% respectively. China is Thailand 's 4th largest trading partner, and Thailand is China's 14th largest trading partner.
Two-way investment have been doing fine between the two countries. By the end of 2002, there had been 3180 projects with Thai investment in China, with their actual input reaching US$ 2.525 billion. In the first quarter of 2003, Thailand's actual investment in China was up 40.2% from the same period of 2002. Up to their investment reaching US$ 0.214 billion.
In 1985, the economic and trade joint committee was set up between the two countries. Since the establishment of Sino-Thai diplomatic relations, the Shipping Agreement and Two Supplementary Protocols were signed in 1979, Air Transport Agreement and Certificate with Full Authority to the Other Party in 1980, Agreement on Investment Promotion and Protection in 1985, Agreement on Avoidance of Double Taxation and Prevention of Evading Tax-Payment in 1986, Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Trade, Economy and Technology in 1997, and Agreement on Exchange of Chinese and Thai Currencies in 2001.
III. Exchanges and Cooperation in Other Areas
The two countries have seen steady growth of exchanges and cooperation in the fields of science, technology, culture, health, education, sport, judicature, and the military. Since the establishment of Sino-Thai diplomatic relations, the Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation was signed in 1978, the Agreement on Tourism Cooperation in 1993, the Extradition Treaty in 1993, the Agreement on Legal Assistance in Civil and Commercial Matters and Arbitrary Cooperation in 1994, the Memorandum of Understanding on Cultural Cooperation in 1996, the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Areas of Health and Medical Science and Pharmaceuticals in 1997, the Memorandum of Understanding on Strengthening Cooperation in Drug-Prohibition in 2000, the Agreement on Cultural Cooperation in 2001, and the Treaty on Assistance in Criminal Judicature in 2003. The Chinese and Thai military have long maintained friendly contacts and there were frequent exchanges of visits between the military leaders of the two countries and regular exchanges of cadets for training between military academies.
In addition, the Joint Committee on Sino-Thai Scientific and Technological Cooperation was founded in 1978, and the Thai-Chinese Friendship Association as well as the Sino-Thai Friendship Association were founded in 1976 and 1987 respectively. At present , there are 7 pairs of friendship cities and provinces between the two countries: Beijing-Bangkok, Shanghai-Chiang Mai, Yuannan-Chiang Rai Province, Henan Province-Chon Bury, Kunming-Chiang Mai, Yantai-Phuket, Nanning-Khon Kaen.
IV. Important Bilateral Documents
In February 1999, Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan and Thai Foreign Minister signed the Joint Statement on 21st Century Cooperation Programme between the People's Republic of China and Kingdom of Thailand in Bangkok.
(Information from Ministry of Foreign Affairs, PRC ) |
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Bilateral Visits