Agricultural exports, investment on Thai-Chinese premiers’ meeting agenda

The meeting between the Thai and Chinese leaders on Friday resulted in the signing of eight memoranda of understanding (MoUs), covering issues ranging from agricultural exports to investment in the automotive industry.

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul met Chinese Premier Li Qiang at Government House in Bangkok during the latter's three-day official visit, the first by a Chinese premier to the Kingdom in seven years.

“The signing of these eight documents reflects the progress in Thailand-China relations, which are aimed at achieving tangible results,” government spokesperson Ekkapob Pianpises said.

Four agreements concern cooperation on standards and the accuracy of weights and measures for agricultural goods, phytosanitary measures for the exports of fresh durian and salak (snake fruit), as well as food safety cooperation regarding imported and exported products.

Ekkapob said the agreement on salak could expand distribution channels for the fruit in major markets with higher purchasing power, with an expected export value of at least 76 million baht per year.

The remaining agreements concern education, boosting investment in the automotive industry and facilitating strategic international operations.

Beijing also pledged to cooperate with Thailand on water quality management and the treatment of polluted waterways in the North.

Li Qiang will travel to Manila on Sunday to attend the 29th China-ASEAN Summit, which will take place on November 15th and 16th, as part of the 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, according to China's Foreign Ministry.