According to the People’s Daily report, Vajiralongkorn said he was pleased to pay a state visit to China and that the country has undergone great changes since his previous visit. He also congratulated China on its major achievements in economic and social development.
The Thai monarch is set to meet Chinese Premier Li Qiang later on Friday, before attending a state banquet in the evening.
During their visit to China, the king and queen will visit cultural and religious sites, including a visit to the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha at Lingguang Temple in Beijing, Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Nov 6.
They will also visit institutions highlighting China’s development in fields such as science and technology. These include the Beijing Aerospace Control Centre, the Innovation Center of Humanoid Robotics and the Center for Educational Technology and Resource Development.
The royal couple are set to visit a special exhibition celebrating the 50th anniversary of Thai-Chinese diplomatic relations at the Palace Museum in Beijing.
They will also lay a wreath at Tiananmen Square, according to a statement by Thailand’s Bureau of the Royal Household.
Bilateral ties have evolved significantly since Thailand, firmly aligned with the United States against communism during the Cold War, viewed China as a threat. Vajiralongkorn travelled to China once in 1987 as crown prince, sent by his father, who never visited despite invitations from Beijing.
Since the post-Cold War years, the relationship between the two countries has strengthened, anchored by deep trade and investment links.
China is now a top source of visitors for Thailand’s vital tourism sector and a major investor in industries such as automobiles. From China, Thailand bought US$80 billion of goods last year.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/china-hosts-thailand-king-maha-vajiralongkorn-historic-visit-bilateral-ties-5466931
