Thailand aims to complete by 2030 the construction of a 250km section of a high-speed rail line that will connect it to China, its government said on Monday, as Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul concluded a five-day visit to the country.

Thailand's new rail projects are intended to be part of Beijing's vision for a 3,900km rail network that would connect Kunming to as far south as Singapore.

Thailand aims to complete the first high-speed line – connecting the capital Bangkok with Nakhon Ratchasima – by 2030 and is preparing to start construction of a second high-speed line from Nakhon Ratchasima to Nong Khai, the government said in a statement.

Thailand was separately advancing on construction of another project, a link to a conventional rail line that will connect with Laos to the north and Malaysia to the south, it said in the statement.

China and Thailand also agreed during Anutin's trip to establish a foreign affairs and defence mechanism and to expand defence industry cooperation and personnel development, the statement said.

The two countries would also share intelligence and transaction data to help tackle online scams and financial fraud, it added.

In talks with Anutin on Monday, Premier Li Qiang said the two countries are close neighbours with a long history of friendly exchanges, and that under the strategic guidance of their leaders, the building of China-Thailand community with a shared future is constantly deepening and solidifying, opening up broader prospects for bilateral cooperation.

Li added that Beijing stands ready to strengthen the synergy of development strategies with Bangkok, pursue high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, maintain sound growth momentum of bilateral trade, expand cooperation in emerging fields, and work together to promote common prosperity.

He expressed the hope that Thailand will provide a sound business environment for Chinese enterprises, adding that the two sides should further strengthen cooperation in law enforcement and security.

Anutin said Thailand firmly adheres to the one-China policy and will intensify its efforts to crack down on cross-border crimes, and create a safe and sound environment for Chinese tourists and enterprises.

He also held talks with National People's Congress Standing Committee chairman Zhao Leji. (Reuters/Xinhua)


Edited by Edmond Fong