Bangkok: The economic, trade, cultural, and tourism exchange conference, "Shanxi Products on the Silk Road 2026 (Thailand)," was successfully held in Bangkok, marking a significant step in fostering bilateral relations between China and Thailand. The conference, themed "Connecting Shanxi via the Silk Road to Achieve Shared Prosperity in ASEAN," aimed to create a platform for collaboration in key sectors and to reinforce the friendly ties between the two regions.
According to Thai News Agency, the event was jointly organized by the Shanxi Provincial Council for the Promotion of International Trade and the Shanxi Provincial Bureau of Culture and Tourism. Mr. Zhao Junlong, Deputy Director of the Shanxi Provincial Bureau of Culture and Tourism, highlighted Shanxi Province's rich cultural history and its efforts to develop into a world-class cultural tourism destination. He expressed optimism about strengthening partnerships with Thai organizations to enhance mutual tourism promotion and joint product development.
Ms. Thapanee Kiatpaiboon, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, emphasized the conference as an opportunity for both regions to exchange resources and expand cooperative efforts. She underscored the commitment to "two-way tourism" to foster understanding between the peoples of China and Thailand and to drive closer cultural and tourism cooperation.
Representatives from Shanxi's cultural tourism sector presented on the province's key tourism and cultural resources, while Mr. Wang Hongwei from Shanxi Cultural Tourism Investment Holding Group discussed potential areas for collaboration, including joint branding and industrial investment. The China Eastern Airlines Bangkok office promoted the Taiyuan-Bangkok route, highlighting exclusive benefits for tourists.
Various organizations, such as Shanxi Road and Bridge Construction Group and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, participated by sharing insights and ideas. The conference concluded with the signing of four cooperation agreements between relevant organizations from both countries, including the Shanxi Cultural Tourism Investment Holding Group and the Thai Association of Travel Agents.
Data suggests that by 2025, travel between China and ASEAN will surpass 45 million trips, making ASEAN a key inbound tourism market for China. Efforts will continue to expand Shanxi's cultural tourism presence in Thailand and ASEAN, leveraging the Silk Road as a link for practical cooperation across sectors.