China's Xi meets Thai Prime Minister to discuss trade and online scams

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra in Beijing on Thursday. The meeting focused on improving trade relations and addressing concerns over online scams. Paetongtarn's visit, which runs from February 5 to 8, is her first official trip to China since she became Prime Minister in August 2024.

The visit also marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Thailand. However, the celebrations are overshadowed by concerns over online fraud, particularly involving cross-border scams. One recent case that gained widespread attention in China was the abduction of Chinese actor Wang Xing. He was lured to Thailand with the promise of an acting job but was later kidnapped and taken to a scam centre in Myanmar. His rescue has reignited discussions in China about the dangers of such scams.

Thailand, which relies heavily on tourism, is worried about the impact these scams could have on its reputation. Chinese tourists make up the largest group of visitors to Thailand, and the Thai government is working to assure them that the country is safe.

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Efforts to stop online scams

To curb illegal activities, Thailand announced on Tuesday that it would cut electricity supply to certain areas along its border with Myanmar. Many scam centres operate in these regions, taking advantage of weak law enforcement. According to the United Nations, Southeast Asia has become a hub for online fraud since the COVID-19 pandemic, with thousands of people being trafficked to work in these illegal operations.

Besides tackling scams, Xi and Paetongtarn also discussed economic cooperation. Their meeting comes at a time when China is facing a new trade war with the United States. U.S. President Donald Trump recently imposed a 10% tariff on all Chinese imports, adding pressure on Beijing. However, Thailand sees an opportunity in this situation. Thai Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan stated in November that the country could benefit from the U.S.-China trade war, as American demand for Thai exports might rise while U.S. imports from China decline.

With both nations looking to deepen their relationship, the meeting between Xi and Paetongtarn highlighted key issues in trade, security, and regional cooperation.