A high-level forum between China and Thailand on Saturday brought together over 600 industry leaders in Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province, marking a new milestone fueled by booming bilateral trade.
The China (Sichuan)-Thailand Investment and Economic Forum was a key stop during Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's visit to China from July 16 to 20.
"Our aim is to strengthen cooperation with Sichuan in trade, investment, and economic and social development. I firmly believe that new opportunities in the years ahead will further elevate our economic partnership, as the strengths of Thailand and Sichuan complement and reinforce each other," said Charnvirakul at the event.
The event featured the inauguration of the Thailand Board of Investment's Chengdu Office.
China has been Thailand's largest trading partner for 13 consecutive years. In Sichuan Province, trade with Thailand reached around 41.9 billion yuan (about 6.19 billion U.S. dollars) in 2025, up more than 112 percent year on year.
Enterprises from both sides see strong potential across a wide range of industries.
"We have two phases. Phase One is already sold out. Most of them are Chinese companies. Now we open for Phase Two. So we are looking forward to welcoming more Chinese investors," said Nicole Tan, director of strategic partnerships of Absolute Clean Energy Public Company, a leading clean energy company in Thailand.
"Thailand's push for clean energy and energy transition presents great opportunities for us. We hope to align with the country’s development strategy and further advance cooperation in the energy sector," said Zheng Lewei, a business representative of China's Dongfang Electric International Corporation.
As Thailand seeks economic transformation, technological innovation is expected to become a new driver for growth and cooperation, according to attendees.
"Thailand can learn a lot and can actually work with China on how to bring out the AI technology to the ASEAN or South Asia region, including Thailand. I think this is a really big area that would uplift the well-being of the people of Thailand, and definitely around the world, if with the right governance and how we best utilize AI for humanity," said Suphachai Chearavanont, senior vice chairman of Charoen Pokphand Group, Thailand's largest private company.
China-Thailand Investment and Economic Forum boosts opportunities for deeper partnership
