Thai PM to Meet Chinese Leaders Amid Border Concerns

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is set to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in Shanghai during his visit to China, with Thai-Cambodian border security expected to be a major agenda item. The prime minister's trip to China, from July 16-20, officially includes attending the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) 2026 in Shanghai and inaugurating a new overseas office of the Board of Investment (BOI) in Chengdu. However, Beijing has also arranged meetings with President Xi and Premier Li Qiang. According to Mr Anutin, President Xi will receive him and his delegation in Shanghai on Friday, providing an opportunity to review progress on bilateral cooperation over the past year, including trade, investment, and security. He is also scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Premier Li, with the two leaders expected to meet again at upcoming international gatherings such as ASEAN and APEC summits. However, recent border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia are also anticipated to be raised during the discussions. Mr Anutin admitted that the talks would cover sensitive issues, including security, efforts to combat transnational crime and corruption, as well as economic cooperation. He declined to elaborate, stating that such matters should be discussed privately between the two governments. "China is a great friend that has supported Thailand every time, whether we ask for support or not," Mr Anutin said. When asked about reports of Chinese arms supplies to Cambodia, he declined to comment, stating, "As for security matters, I cannot discuss them publicly." Before departing for China, the prime minister held talks with Thailand's military chiefs to review national defence and sovereignty protection plans, as well as the armed forces' readiness to support the government's security operations. Regarding the possibility of China proposing to act as a mediator between Thailand and Cambodia, Mr Anutin stated, "We are not opposed." Thailand and China have long enjoyed a close and mutually supportive relationship, and the talks are expected to cover a wide range of issues of mutual interest. The contamination of the Kok River, which requires cooperation with Myanmar as the pollution originates upstream, will also be on the agenda. Furthermore, China's defense minister is scheduled to visit Thailand next week, allowing security discussions between the two countries to continue. The leaders' meetings come at a time when ties between China and Thailand are facing growing public scrutiny. Reports of Chinese arms deliveries to Cambodia, despite Beijing's insistence they are part of previously agreed contracts, have fueled questions in Thailand over China's neutrality amid border tensions with Cambodia. This issue has coincided with broader public unease over a series of crimes involving Chinese nationals and transnational criminal networks operating in Thailand, further complicating ties.