China–Thailand relations

China–Thailand relations officially started in November 1975 after years of negotiations.[1][2] For a long time, Thailand, or in its former name, Siam, was a very strong and loyal Sinophilic country, and usually the Chinese issued Siam with a strong respect from China to ensure its alliance with the country. However, after Plaek Phibunsongkhram attempted to erase and prohibit Chinese, the feelings favor among Thais toward China have been seriously damaged.

People's Republic of China–Thailand relations

China
Thailand
Diplomatic mission
Chinese Embassy, BangkokThai Embassy, Beijing
Envoy
Ambassador Lyu JianAmbassador Piriya Khempon

Currently there may be a power struggle between the United States and China due to escalating presence of both in Thailand.[3] China remains as an important ally to Thailand, partly due to its influence and prominence in the region.[4][5][6][7][8]

History

Modern times
Countries which signed cooperation documents related to the Belt and Road Initiative

During the premiership of Plaek Phibunsongkhram, tensions between the two countries were intense as result of the Cold War, but Phibunsongkhram sent the children of his advisor Sang Phathanothai to live in China as a goodwill gesture, but also as an informal backdoor. The book The Dragon's Pearl by Phathanothai's daughter Sirin recounts her experience growing up during the Cultural Revolution in China.

In June 1963, Thai King Bhumibol and wife visited Taipei in the Republic of China (ROC). In 1969, Minister of National Defense Chiang Ching-kuo visited Bangkok as a special envoy of the ROC government to meet with Thai King. Thailand switched diplomatic relations from ROC to PRC in July 1975.[9]

Prior to 1975, PRC-Thailand relations were one of mutual suspicion, as PRC supported left-leaning factions within the Thai political circle and Thailand was wary of Chinese involvement with Cambodia's conflicts.[1]

PRC-Thailand relations developed positively in 1978 when PRC continued backing Thailand during Cambodia's internal conflict whereby Marxist forces from Vietnam ousted the Maoist Khmer Rouge from power and threatened the security of South East Asia.[10]

PRC-Thailand relations continue to develop as trade became the dominant theme in bilateral relations.[2] Thailand continues to support the One China Policy and maintains unofficial relations with Taiwan. This helps Thailand gain access to capital and the huge Chinese mainland market.[2] Thai Chinese businesses are part of the larger bamboo network.[11] The Charoen Pokphand (CP Group), a prominent Thai conglomerate founded by the Thai-Chinese Chearavanont family, has been the single largest foreign investor in China.[12]

In 1994, President Lee Teng-hui made a private visit to Thailand and met with Thai King to discuss projects on economic cooperation.[9]

Thai princess Sirindhorn has received China's Medal of Friendship and Chinese Language and Culture Friendship Award for her work in promoting closer relations between the two countries. She speaks fluent Mandarin Chinese and has translated several Chinese language novels into Thai.[13]

Thailand adopted a policy of improving relations with China since the 2014 coup, after the relations with the West worsen.[14] In the House of Representatives, concerns had been raised regarding increasing Chinese influence over the country — some dubbed Thailand as already a Chinese province — including Chinese acquisition of land and real estates, allowing China to build dams in the Mekong, and allowing a Chinese private company to invest in the Thai hi-speed rail megaproject.[15]

Bilateral relations
The Thai Consulate in Kunming

The bilateral trade relations have grown from year to year.[16] Sino-Thailand bilateral trade volume in 1999 was of US$4.22 billion .[16] Trade volume between the two countries reached US$25.3 billion in 2006, 31.07 billion dollars in 2007 and 36.2 billion dollars in 2008.[17] China's transformation into a major economic power in the 21st century has led to an increase of foreign investments in the bamboo network, a network of overseas Chinese businesses operating in the markets of Southeast Asia that share common family and cultural ties.[18][11]

China's export to Thailand were computer components, electrical motors, consumer electronics, machinery, metal products, chemicals and clothing.[17]

Thailand's export to China were computer components, rubber, refined oil, plastic pellets, chemical electronics, crude oil, wood products and food.[17]

China is Thailand's second largest export market. China is also Thailand's largest importer of goods into the country in 2010.[19]

China and Thailand has signed a Free Trade Agreement back in 2003 which covered agricultural products.[20] It was also known as an early harvest agreement on agricultural products in 2003.[21] A comprehensive agreement is still pending negotiations.

China has planned to create China City Complex in Thailand to boost trade and get around trade barriers in the ASEAN region as well as other large foreign Markets which Thailand has trade agreements with such as the United States and European Union.[22][23] China takes advantage of the ASEAN–China Free Trade Area which came into effect January 1, 2010 which will allow its goods to be exported through ASEAN countries with zero or reduced trade barriers.[23]

Military relations

Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha ordered 49 Chinese VT-4 main battle tanks and 3 submarines, costing more than US$1 billion.[24][25]

China and Thailand are planning to open a joint commercial arms factory in Khon Kaen.[24] It will be responsible for assembly, production and maintenance of land weapon systems for the Thai army. Specific details were subject to further discussions between the ministry and Norinco - which makes tanks and weapons among other heavy equipment.

In May 2017, the Royal Thai Navy signed a contract with the China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation for a S26T diesel-electric submarine, which is derived from the Type 039A submarine.[25] The submarine is expected to be delivered in 2023.[25] Chinese military commentator Zhou Chenming stated that China will likely provide technical guidance to Thailand, as well.[25]

See also

Further reading
Library resources about
China–Thailand relations
  • ASEAN SEC (October 2001). "Forging Closer ASEAN-China Economic Relations In The Twenty-First Century" (PDF).
  • Cardenal, Juan Pablo; Araújo, Heriberto (2011). La silenciosa conquista china (in Spanish). Barcelona: Crítica. pp. 230–232. ISBN 9788498922578.

References
  1. Editorial (June 30, 2009). "Sino-Thai relations have come a long way". The Nation. Archived from the original on October 22, 2016. Retrieved January 10, 2011.
  2. "A Hiatus in the Sino-Thai "Special Relationship"". China Brief Volume: 6 Issue: 19. May 9, 2007.
  3. "Thailand's foreign relations under the new government". Retrieved 2014-07-29.
  4. "Is Chinese influence redefining South-east Asia?". The Straits Times. 4 February 2016.
  5. "Chinese subs, tanks, ships sold in South, Southeast Asia".
  6. "China starts work on US$411 million submarine for Thai navy". South China Morning Post.
  7. Ramsey, Adam. "Thailand Is Finally Cozying Up to China. Why Now?". OZY.
  8. "The Curious Case of Thai-Chinese Relations: Best Friends Forever? - The Asia Foundation". The Asia Foundation. 30 March 2016.
  9. "Taiwan mourns death of Thai king - Politics - FOCUS TAIWAN - CNA ENGLISH NEWS".
  10. "China-Thai relations can always use a new spark". The Nation. 2010-07-01.
  11. Murray L Weidenbaum (1 January 1996). The Bamboo Network: How Expatriate Chinese Entrepreneurs are Creating a New Economic Superpower in Asia. Martin Kessler Books, Free Press. pp. 4–8. ISBN 978-0-684-82289-1.
  12. Gomez, Edmund (2012). Chinese business in Malaysia. Routledge. p. 94. ISBN 978-0415517379.
  13. http://www.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Plush/Story/A1Story20130401-412771.html
  14. Prashanth Parameswaran. (2014). Thailand Turns to China. The Diplomat. Accessed 3-1-2018.
  15. "MPs warned of an economic colony as opposition zeroed in on Thailand's impaired relationship with China". Thai Examiner. 28 February 2020. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  16. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-07-07. Retrieved 2011-01-11.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  17. Sompop Manarungsan. "Thailand-China Cooperation in Trade, Investment and Official Development Assistance" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-12-20. Retrieved 2011-01-11.
  18. Quinlan, Joe (November 13, 2007). "Insight: China's capital targets Asia's bamboo network". Financial Times.
  19. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-11-22. Retrieved 2011-01-11.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  20. "ASEAN - China Free Trade Agreement". thaifta.com. Archived from the original on 2016-05-14. Retrieved 2016-10-22.
  21. "Microsoft Word - THAI PRC AGREEMENT_Thailand_Copy-printable.doc" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-27. Retrieved 2016-10-22.
  22. "China to build massive trade center in Thailand". Associated Press. January 7, 2011.
  23. Nophakhun Limsamarnphun (January 10, 2011). "China seeking fast track into ASEAN market". The Nation (Thailand)/Asia News.
  24. Campbell, Charlie; Solomon, Felix (June 21, 2018). "Thailand's Leader Promised to Restore Democracy. Instead He's Tightening His Grip". Time.
  25. Liu, Zhen (September 5, 2018). "Chinese shipbuilder starts work on US$411 million submarine for Thai navy". South China Morning Post.
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