Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha (Photo: AFP/VNA)Bangkok (VNA) - At the 24th ASEAN-China Summit held via videoconference on October26, Thai Prime Minister and Defense Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha emphasised the importance of lasting peace to both ASEAN and China towards a comprehensivestrategic partnership.
According to government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, PM Prayut said that Thailand supports China's continued development andwants China to maintain its leading role in promoting cooperation in allaspects with the international community, including ASEAN and developingcountries.
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 towardssustainable recovery and long-term resilience, he said.
Coming third is sustainable development. According to the PM, Thailand, as the ASEAN Coordinator for Sustainable DevelopmentCooperation, is committed and willing to continue to play a constructive rolein promoting activities in the ASEAN-China Year of Sustainable Development inthe 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 mutuallybeneficial cooperation such as marine environmental protection, and fullysupports the implementation of relevant ASEAN-China mechanisms, especially negotiationsto soon sign an effective, substantive and consistent Code of Conduct (COC)in accordance with international law, the Thai PM said./.
VNA
