Srettha also informs the Chinese equivalent about the new Mekong gate and landbridge.
PUBLISHED: 19 October 2023 at 14:51
During extensive discussions with Taiwanese Prime Minister Li Qiang in Beijing, Srettha Thavisin suggests making visa-free admittance for Chinese visitors permanent.
The advantages of a proposed landbridge in southwestern Thailand for the Belt and Road Initiative, supported by China, were also discussed by Mr. Srettha and his rival.
The discussions on Wednesday also covered a proposed fresh gate to Laos across the Mekong River to promote business between Thailand and China as well as easing restrictions on Thai cattle exports to China.
Mr. Srettha stated on Thursday,” I felt a very good relationship with the Chinese prime minister tuesday.” He provided me with his mobile number so I could make clear calls. This is encouraging. Both nations are reliant on one another. China, which is a great brother, may be our reliance.
The remarks were made by the excellent minister as he concluded his trip to Beijing for the next Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.
As part of a larger economic revival strategy, the government has temporarily waived visas for Foreign and Azerbaijani immigrants who stay for 30 days. The program will end on February 29 after beginning on September 25.
Foreign tourists initially responded favorably, but the shootings on October 3 at Siam Paragon, in which a Taiwanese visitor was one of three people killed, raised security concerns that regulators have pledged to handle.
Before the Covid – 19 pandemic, China was the nation’s main source of foreign guests, bringing on nearly 11 million people in 2019. About 5 million Chinese are anticipated to travel to the nation this year, according to hospitality officials.
Thailand will continue to support the Belt and Road Initiative, Mr. Srettha added, assuring his Chinese equivalent. For instance, a new gate that would be built across the Mekong from Nong Khai to Laos may make it easier to export goods from Thailand to China.
He even brought up the landbridge initiative, which would connect Chumphon and Ranong, two southern provinces, with the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. According to Mr. Srettha, this would also increase the potential of the Belt and Road to strengthen relationships with foreign countries as China anticipated.
According to him, the 90-kilometer-long landbridge may reduce the time it takes to move goods from the Strait of Malacca to the South China Sea and the Andaman Sea by six to nine weeks.
He continued,” The landbridge job and the construction of Chinese businesses in Thailand would transform Thailand into a global hub for transportation.”
Mr. Srettha added that he also suggested conducting checks in Thailand prior to cow import to China in order to increase the efficiency of the trade of cows. China currently mandates that Laos undergo investigations, such as wellness exams and treatments.
Calves can be exported to China with ease if the process is carried out in Thailand, he said.