Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida with an elaborate ceremony in Beijing on Friday, marking the first official visit by a Thai monarch since the two nations established diplomatic relations half a century ago.
The state visit, held at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, underscores China’s ambition to reinforce its image as a trustworthy neighbor and economic ally at a time of growing regional competition.
The formal reception—attended by President Xi and First Lady Peng Liyuan, who received the royal couple with full honors including a military guard—highlights the significant historical chapter as both countries commemorate 50 years of diplomatic ties. According to a social media post by Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning, the event symbolizes the highest respect and recognition for Thailand’s monarch.
The occasion also comes amid deepening economic interdependence. Over the past decades, trade and investment between China and Thailand have surged. China now stands as a critical investor in Thailand’s key sectors such as automobiles and remains the leading source of tourists for the kingdom. Last year, Thailand’s imports from China amounted to $80 billion.
In addition to the welcoming ceremony, the Great Hall of the People will host a state banquet in honor of the Thai royal family, further celebrating the milestone in the two nations’ bilateral relationship. The venue itself, an enduring symbol of China’s political and diplomatic prestige, has been the site of countless significant state events since 1959.
