Thai prime minister pledges continued efforts to deepen friendship, cooperation with China

China

Thai prime minister pledges continued efforts to deepen friendship, cooperation with China

2025-02-09 13:27 Last Updated At：16:37

Thailand attaches great importance to the development of relations with China, visiting Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said on Thursday, pledging her country's continued efforts to enhance mutual support with China and to work hand in hand with China to advance the bilateral relationship into a next "Golden 50 Years" .

In an exclusive interview with China Media Group (CMG) in Beijing, Paetongtarn emphasized Thailand's strong commitment to fostering its relationship with China and highlighted the deep friendship between the two countries, as China and Thailand will mark in 2025 the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations, and also the "Golden 50 Years of China-Thailand Friendship" since the establishment of diplomatic relations.

"Thailand and China enjoy similar cultures. The two countries are very agreeable in communication, cooperation and understanding of each other's culture. Thailand has always supported China's development, just as China has supported Thailand's development. This spirit of mutual support is an important foundation for sustained development of our bilateral relationship in the future," said Paetongtarn.

Paetongtarn also discussed the latest progress on the China-Thailand High-Speed Railway (HSR). She noted that the railway will greatly facilitate trade among China, Thailand, and Laos. With the continuous improvement and upgrading of the railway project, exchanges and cooperation between the peoples of China and Thailand will become even more frequent.

"On Tuesday, the Thai Cabinet approved the resolution on construction of the Korat-Nong Khai high-speed rail, as part of the Bangkok-Nong Khai high-speed rail, or the second phase of the China-Thailand High-Speed Railway (HSR). The construction of this railway will greatly facilitate trade among China, Thailand, and Laos. As a result, the connections between Thailand and China at all levels will also become closer, and exchanges and cooperation between the peoples of our two countries will become more frequent. In the near future, I believe that people can take train for travel between the two countries more easily," she said. Paetongtarn noted that combating telecom fraud, gambling, and transnational crime is one of the key topics of her visit. As the Thai prime minister, Paetongtarn said she focuses on ensuring Thailand's security and maintaining regular communication with the country's police, military, and other departments.

"I have been in regular communication with various departments of the Thai police to ensure the safety of every tourist who visits Thailand. Cybercrime is a global issue because it spreads rapidly and can cause significant damage in a short period of time. This requires cooperation among all nations. Thailand will work closely with China to address these issues, and I believe we will see significant improvements," said Paetongtarn.

Paetongtarn arrived in Beijing on Wednesday for a four-day official visit to China at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang. On Friday evening, she attended the opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games alongside Thai government officials in Harbin City of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province.

Uganda suspends DRC flights amid efforts to prevent Ebola outbreak spillover

Uganda on Thursday announced the temporary suspension of flights to and from the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) following an outbreak of Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease that has killed dozens of people.

Diana Atwine, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Health, said in a statement issued in Kampala that the National Task Force (NTF), chaired by Uganda's Vice President Jessica Alupo, had resolved to suspend all flights between Uganda and the DRC, with the measure taking effect within 48 hours.

The move follows the detection last week of two imported Ebola cases in Kampala, the Ugandan capital.

A 59-year-old Congolese man died from the virus at Kibuli Muslim Hospital in Kampala, while the other patient remains in isolation at Mulago National Referral Hospital. A total of 127 contacts have been identified and are in institutional quarantine.

According to Atwine, the government has also temporarily suspended public passenger ferry services on the Semuliki River, cross-border bus operations and all public passenger transport between Uganda and the DRC for the next four weeks, while allowing the continued movement of goods and food supplies.

According to the ministry, weekly markets in border sub-counties across high-risk districts have also been suspended for four weeks.

The NTF has activated a series of preparedness and response measures, including the suspension of cultural celebrations and commemorative events that draw large crowds along the Uganda-DRC border.

Over the past 24 hours, health authorities in the DRC and the World Health Organization have reported a worsening outbreak across the central African nation, with around 600 suspected cases and 139 probable deaths recorded since the outbreak was officially declared on May 15.