PUBLISHED : 21 Jul 2026 at 05:01

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and his Chinese counterpart, Li Qiang, preside over the signing ceremony of a strategic partnership agreement between the two countries in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. (Photo: Government House)

Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow has described Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's official visit to China as a historic success.

He said the visit elevated the Thailand-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership across the political, economic, security and technology sectors, including artificial intelligence (AI).

Speaking in Beijing on Monday, Mr Sihasak said it marked the current government's first official visit to China and featured meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.

He said both sides reiterated their commitment to the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership -- the highest level of bilateral relations -- covering cooperation on bilateral affairs, regional security and Asean-related issues.

The two countries also began preparations for the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2027, with Thailand expressing hope that Mr Xi would pay a state visit to Thailand next year at the invitation of His Majesty the King.

On the economic front, Mr Sihasak said Thailand reaffirmed its policy of attracting high-quality foreign investment, particularly in industries supporting the digital and green economy, including electric vehicles, to lift the country's long-term competitiveness.

Among the major outcomes of the visit was the opening of a new Board of Investment (BOI) office in Chengdu to promote investment from western China.

More than 150 Thai business executives also took part in a business forum and matchmaking event with Chinese companies that would expand bilateral trade and investment.

The Thai delegation also visited the headquarters of a leading Chinese artificial intelligence company in Beijing.

The company expressed interest in partnering with Thailand on AI development and recommended that Thailand formulate a national AI strategy to guide the systematic development and application of the technology.

In the security field, both also agreed to a 2+2 dialogue involving the foreign and defence ministers, hosted initially by China.