Post by : Rameen Ariff

Beijing, China – King Maha Vajiralongkorn of Thailand has arrived in China on Wednesday, marking the first-ever visit by a reigning Thai monarch. The historic trip comes at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Thailand and China, first established in 1975.

The Thai government said the visit "underlines the deep-rooted friendship and mutual understanding shared between Thailand and China at all levels." During his stay, King Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida are scheduled to visit prominent landmarks, including the Lingguang Buddhist Temple and Beijing Aerospace City. Additionally, President Xi and his wife will host a state banquet in honor of the Thai royals.

This marks King Vajiralongkorn’s first major state visit since ascending the throne nine years ago. By contrast, his late father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, conducted several high-profile trips abroad, including to the United States during the 1960s, when Thailand was a strategic partner in the Cold War.

While Thailand remains officially a military ally of the US, its economic and political ties with China have grown steadily. China is now Thailand’s largest trading partner and an increasingly significant source of military equipment. This visit underscores the growing influence of China in the region and the deepening bilateral relationship between the two nations.

Thai-Chinese ties also have cultural and historical roots. Many Thais trace their ancestry to Chinese migrants, and China frequently emphasizes these “family” connections. The Thai monarchy has also played an active role in sustaining these relations, particularly through Princess Sirindhorn, who has studied Chinese language and culture for decades and frequently visited China.

This royal visit coincides with a period of strengthened cooperation between the two countries. Earlier this year, Thailand deported Uyghur asylum-seekers to China despite warnings from the United States. Additionally, Chinese diplomatic pressure influenced Thailand’s actions against cross-border scam compounds along Myanmar and contributed to blocking the proposal to legalize casinos in the country.

The historic visit of King Vajiralongkorn represents not only a milestone in Thai-Chinese relations but also signals Thailand's commitment to maintaining strong economic, cultural, and strategic ties with China in the decades ahead.

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