Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul presided over a ceremony at the Teochew Association of Thailand in Bangkok to mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the Nine Chinese Associations Club.

The ceremony was attended by Wu Zhiwu, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Thailand; Somchai Vejjajiva, President of the Nine Chinese Associations Club and the Teochew Association of Thailand; representatives of the Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce; presidents of various Chinese ethnic associations in Thailand; and executives of the Nine Chinese Associations Club.

Before the ceremony, Anutin and attendees observed a moment of silence in mourning for the passing of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, and Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha. They then stood in respect during the Thai and Chinese national anthems before watching a traditional lion dance performance. A video highlighting the 60-year history of the Nine Chinese Associations Club was subsequently shown.

In his address, Anutin said the 60th anniversary reflected the long-standing bonds between the Thai people and Chinese communities in Thailand.

Over the past six decades, he said, the Nine Chinese Associations have served not only as a gathering place for Thai people of Chinese descent but also as an important contributor to Thailand’s development through business, employment, social welfare, and efforts to strengthen people-to-people ties between Thailand and China.

At the same time, Thai people of Chinese descent have preserved their language and cultural heritage while maintaining strong connections with China. Anutin described these ties as valuable social capital that could help develop Thailand-China relations and create new opportunities for both countries.

Anutin also referred to his official visit to China in July, during which he held discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, and leading Chinese businesses and technology companies.

He said the visit demonstrated that China values Thailand as a partner with which it can advance together. Xi described the relationship between the two countries as one in which “Thailand and China are one family” and referred to China as a “trustworthy and reliable strategic partner of Thailand,” while encouraging Thailand to regard China as a close friend.

Anutin said these remarks reflected not only the deep historical ties between the two countries but also their shared aspiration to build a common future.

He said the next chapter of Thailand-China relations would focus on mutual growth within the emerging global economy, particularly in areas such as trade, investment, artificial intelligence, and future industries.

According to Anutin, the comprehensive strategic partnership between Thailand and China is advancing through the signing of 15 memorandums of understanding (MOUs) and the establishment of a Board of Investment (BOI) office in Chengdu.

The office is intended to strengthen connections between Thailand and western China and promote cooperation in strategic industries, including semiconductors, artificial intelligence, robotics, automotive manufacturing, and clean energy.

Anutin said he envisioned the Chengdu office as more than simply a government office, describing it as a “gateway” linking business and investment opportunities between Thailand and China. He added that the network of the nine Chinese associations could play an important role in supporting these connections.

The Prime Minister said the Nine Chinese Associations had spent 60 years serving as a bridge linking the peoples, cultures, and friendship of Thailand and China. Looking ahead to the next 60 years, he expressed hope that the bridge would connect new generations, businesses, technologies, and opportunities.

He said he wanted future generations of Thais to view China not only as the land of their ancestors but also as a global hub of opportunity. Likewise, he hoped younger generations of Chinese people would see Thailand as more than a neighboring country or tourist destination, but as a place where they could invest, establish businesses, innovate, and build a shared future.

“The government is ready to open the doors and create an environment for these things, and we need the collective effort of everyone to maximize benefits for both the Thai and Chinese people,” Anutin said.

On the occasion of the 60th anniversary, Anutin expressed his appreciation to previous generations for their contributions to building the bridge of Thai-Chinese friendship. He called on the current generation to work together to strengthen and expand that bridge toward new opportunities, ensuring that bilateral relations continue to deliver long-term benefits to the people of both countries.

Concluding his remarks, Anutin said, “China and Thailand are not strangers; we are brothers and sisters,” adding that this relationship had been proven across generations.

“From now on, it should mean that we are not just brothers and sisters with a shared past, but partners building a shared future,” he said.

He expressed his hope that the friendship between Thailand and China and the close ties between their peoples would continue to flourish, remain strong, and contribute to shared prosperity for generations to come.

The Better News English