Belt and Road Initiative provides new opportunities for Sino-Thai development
CGTN
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(Photo: CGTN)

The proposal and implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) have provided new opportunities for China-Thailand development, Gao Peiyong, vice president of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), said at the first Sino-Thai Joint Think Tank Forum in Beijing on Friday.

China and Thailand, both developing countries, have encountered many similar issues in economic and social development, Gao said. "Exchanges and cooperation between the two sides can promote common progress." 

Strengthening cultural and academic exchanges can enhance mutual understanding between the two countries, Gao stressed, adding that experts and scholars from both countries can actively share their experience and contribute their wisdom. 

The synergy of BRI and Thailand Development Program 4.0 can help improve regional interconnectivity, accelerate economic growth and bring tangible benefits to people in East Asia, experts said at the forum. 

Gao noted that the innovation-driven Thailand's new  development program is highly consistent with the aims and goals of BRI. 

The first Sino-Thai Joint Think Tank Forum has drawn over 80 academics and officials from both countries, and it served a platform to explore models for synergy between the China-proposed BRI and Thailand's development program.