Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha (Photo: AFP/VNA) Bangkok (VNA) - At the 24th ASEAN-China Summit held via videoconference on October 26, Thai Prime Minister and Defense Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha emphasised the importance of lasting peace to both ASEAN and China towards a comprehensive strategic partnership.
According to government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, PM Prayut said that Thailand supports China's continued development and wants China to maintain its leading role in promoting cooperation in all aspects with the international community, including ASEAN and developing countries.
The Thai PM said health security is the top priority in the cooperation between the two sides, suggesting that both sides continue to work together to respond to COVID-19 and new diseases that can emerge in the future.
Second, ASEAN and China should focus on economic security towards sustainable recovery and long-term resilience, he said.
Coming third is sustainable development. According to the PM, Thailand, as the ASEAN Coordinator for Sustainable Development Cooperation, is committed and willing to continue to play a constructive role in promoting activities in the ASEAN-China Year of Sustainable Development in the 2021-2022 period.
Prayut noted that Thailand recognizes the importance of maintaining ASEAN centrality and ASEAN-centered regional architecture, and values dialogue to find common solution to the East Sea issue.
Thailand is willing to promote mutually beneficial cooperation such as marine environmental protection, and fully supports the implementation of relevant ASEAN-China mechanisms, especially negotiations to soon sign an effective, substantive and consistent Code of Conduct (COC) in accordance with international law, the Thai PM said./.
VNA
