China willing to expand cooperation with Thailand in multiple sectors: FM

China is willing to expand cooperation with Thailand in multiple sectors, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said during a meeting with Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow in Beijing on Tuesday.

Sihasak was in Beijing for the 11th Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Foreign Ministers' Meeting. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said that President Xi Jinping and Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn have maintained close communication in recent years, jointly leading the in-depth and solid development of the China-Thailand community with a shared future. China is ready to strengthen strategic communications with Thailand, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and advance the building of the China-Thailand community with a shared future, said the Chinese minister.

Wang said China is willing to expand cooperation with Thailand in emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, computing centers, and semiconductors. Wang called for stronger joint efforts to combat online gambling and telecom fraud.

Wang said China is ready to work with Thailand as co-chairs to make good preparations for the fifth Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Leaders' Meeting.

Sihasak expressed his congratulations on the successful convening of the fifth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, noting that Thailand is willing to jointly implement the consensus reached by the leaders of both sides and promote the development of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between Thailand and China.

Sihasak said Thailand is ready to deepen cooperation with China in connectivity, trade and investment, and green transition, further jointly combat online gambling and telecom fraud, and effectively prepare for the fifth Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Leaders' Meeting.

China willing to expand cooperation with Thailand in multiple sectors: FM

A thriving crab-themed night market is drawing food lovers and enthusiastic visitors to Yiyang City in central China's Hunan Province, as the prime season for hairy crab consumption arrives, driving up the local night economy.

Local authorities have unveiled an event that blends culture, commerce and tourism to boost tourism spending during peak season for crab consumption.

Building on the five hairy crab restaurants on a once-quiet pedestrian street in the city's Datonghu Lake District, local authorities, in collaboration with business operators, have rolled out a package of measures, including bid invitation, extension of rent breaks and distribution of consumer vouchers, since September, virtually turning the entire pedestrian street into a bustling night market zone.

Beyond fine food, a lineup of nighttime performances, including singing and dance competitions and carnival-style activities, has been held to attract visitors. Local chefs compete in culinary challenges, crafting elaborate feasts featuring crabs and other local aquatic delicacies and drawing crowds of residents and tourists alike.

Since September, the Datonghu Lake District has received nearly 100,000 visits, generating approximately 100 million yuan (around 15 million U.S. dollars) in revenue across the dining, retail and hospitality sectors.

Located in the heart of the Dongting Lake area, the Datonghu District is a major hairy crab producer in Hunan. This year, the total output value of the local hairy crab industry is expected to exceed 900 million yuan (about 135.4 million U.S. dollars), an increase of about 5.88 percent year on year. Hairy crabs farmed in Yiyang have also been exported to overseas markets, including Singapore and the United Arab Emirates.

Crab-themed market boosts night economy in central China city