Anutin Charnvirakul, Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, expressed admiration for China's rapid development and highlighted the significant impact of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) on both China and the global landscape.
In a recent interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Charnvirakul referred to China as the "land of Dragon" with strong ability to embrace independence while harmonizing with the world.
"What impresses me the most is the speed and scale of development that has modernized the country. This dragon integrated well with the world while keeping its uniqueness, culturally and politically. And that's how China earned respect worldwide. I think the greatest success of China lies on the fact that countries now look at China as their valued partner and the trend setter. Initiatives like the Belt and Road is transforming not only the trade and logistics, but also the way of thinking that open doors to endless opportunities," he said.
In the face of current global challenges, including climate change, geopolitical tensions and rising economic fragmentation, Charnvirakul underscored China's increasing role in global governance and described it as a "big part of the team" in addressing global issues.
"When it comes to global issues, its involvement in global governance is reshaping international power dynamics keeping good balance of power influence. The move of China has influenced countries strategically. It's also worth mentioning that China stands on climate change, which has become more proactive in recent years, has changed the climate of this agenda to be more promising. The same goes with other issues in the sustainable development goals," he said.
Charnvirakul believes that China's most significant influence remains in the economic realm, with the BRI standing out as a pivotal strategic initiative that engages over 100 countries and dozens of international organizations.
Furthermore, he expressed confidence that the strong relationship between Thailand and China will continue to thrive and yield fruitful results, bolstered by mutual support and understanding.
Thailand's deputy PM praises China's development, global role
Malaysia's closer cooperation with China in sectors like trade, tourism and the emerging industries have been helping propel the Southeast Asian nation's growth "to greater heights," said Anthony Loke Siew Fook, Malaysian Transport Minister, in commenting on the two countries' efforts to keep pushing forward the development of bilateral relations more comprehensively.
The minister made the statement in an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) on Tuesday, saying that Malaysia has been benefiting from the huge Chinese market, and that as cooperation between the two countries extends from sectors like trade and tourism to the more broader emerging industries, the growth of Malaysia will reach "greater heights."
China has been Malaysia's biggest trading partner for 15 consecutive years. Going forward the two sides will strengthen cooperation in the emerging sectors like artificial intelligence, high-end manufacturing, the semi-conductor industry, the digital economy, and green development, according to a joint statement released by the two sides in June.
"As far as Malaysia is concerned, we have benefited from the opening up of China. You can have access to the Chinese market, which is huge, for a country like Malaysia. We have a lot of trade, movement between Malaysia and China and not only in terms of goods, but in terms of movement of people, for example, and you have an influx of millions of Chinese visitors to Malaysia every year right now. Increasingly, we have seen a lot of manufacturing. Recently, we also have seen a lot of high-end products, including semiconductors, including investment into data centers, digital economy and so forth. So, all these growths, of course, propel Malaysia to greater heights," said the minister.
The two countries also agreed to deepen cooperation in rail transportation and in infrastructure construction, the joint statement said, noting that key projects like the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) and "Two Countries, Twin Parks" should be the focuses.
The ECRL is a joint venture between Malaysia and China, said the minister, adding that if the project stands as successful program of cooperation between the two countries, it will encourage a greater presence of Chinese business in Malaysia.
"East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) is a Belt and Road Initiative project. It's a huge project. A railway network of more than 650 kilometers. And more significantly is that the operational model that it's a joint venture between Malaysia and China. In the case of the ECRL, the Chinese side is prepared to even operate with us together. So, they are sharing the risks with us and it is to their benefit to ensure the success of the project. What I mean by success is Number One, the utilization of the tracks, the utilization of the railway must reach optimum point. And if you want to achieve, you have to ensure that there are more industrialization along the railway network. So, this is something which I think the Chinese government looks at it strategically, so, to ensure the success of the project together with Malaysia and also encourage more Chinese companies to set up their base along the railway network," he said.
Once being put into operation, the ECRL will see a railway network that connects the eastern and the western coasts of Malaysia, greatly promoting economic development in the country's east coast region and enhancing the connectivity of the regions along the railway network.
As of mid-August, over 70 percent of the project had been finished, according to its contractor China Communications Construction Company Ltd. (CCCC).
Closer cooperation with China propels Malaysia "to greater heights": minister
