On 28 August 2010, Mr. Kasit Piromya, Minister of Foreign Affairs, visited Shanghai to preside over the meeting of Thai Ambassador and Consuls-General in China. He also visited Shanghai World Expo 2010 and met with the Thai businessmen in China.
In the morning, Foreign Minister Kasit presided over the meeting of Thai Ambassador and Consuls-General in China for the year 2010, which was also participated by the Foreign Ministry’s senior officials. The Meeting exchanged views on Thailand’s overall policy towards China. Issues discussed included the short, medium and long-term strategies on bilateral relations, promotion of trade and investment, technical cooperation between the two countries. In addition, the meeting addressed in details the significant role of the Royal Thai Embassy and the Royal Thai Consulates-General in promoting Thailand’s interest in China, particularly in the economic aspect i.e. increased markets for agricultural products, investment opportunities for Thai entrepreneurs, and promotion of Chinese investment in Thailand. The meeting also discussed the cultural and religious activities to promote the Thai-Chinese relationship through the Thai artists who are popular among the Chinese teenagers, as well as faith in religions of the Chinese people.
The Meeting also discussed opportunities and challenges faced by the Royal Thai Embassy and Consulates General to improve their works and enhance coordination networks, so as to cope with the social change as well as trade and investment in China, and to promote Thailand’s role through the integrated foreign policy.
In the afternoon, Foreign Minister Kasit visited Shanghai World Expo 2010. Apart from his visit to the Thai pavilion, the Thai Foreign Minister also stop over at the Chinese and the Shanghai pavilions, as well as the Japanese pavilion and the German pavilion. Shanghai hosted World Expo 2010 which was held for 6 months from the 1 May until the 31 October 2010 under the theme of ”Better City, Better Life.”
In the evening, Foreign Minister Kasit met with the Thai businessmen in Shanghai. He said that the main purpose of his visit to China this time was to hand over the Thai pavilion, which was initiated by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and reflected her vision to enhance the relations between Thailand and China, to Putosan Island in the occasion of the 35th anniversary of Thai-Chinese diplomatic relations. Foreign Minister Kasit also mentioned about the meeting of Thai Ambassador and Consuls-General in China and the Thai Prime Minister’s upcoming visit to Shanghai during 4-5 September 2010. On this occasion, Foreign Minister Kasit was briefed by the Thai businessmen the progress and problems on investing in Shanghai. He also hosted a reception for the participants.
For further information, please contact the Press Division, Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tel.02-6435170, Fax.02-6435169, E-mail: div0704@mfa.go.th