China's President Xi Jinping welcomed Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to Beijing on February 6, marking a significant moment in the 50th anniversary of China-Thailand diplomatic relations. The four-day visit, running from February 5 to 8, is Paetongtarn’s first to Beijing since taking office in August 2024 and comes amid growing concerns surrounding online scams and safety issues that are overshadowing the otherwise positive bilateral ties, as reported by Reuters.

One of the most pressing issues discussed during the meeting was the rise of cross-border telecom fraud, with a particular focus on a high-profile case involving Chinese actor Wang Xing. Wang was lured to Thailand for a supposed acting job, only to be abducted and later rescued from a scam centre in Myanmar. This incident has ignited public outcry in China, raising alarms about the prevalence of such online scams. The situation has also prompted Thailand to take action, especially since the country’s tourism sector relies heavily on Chinese visitors, who make up its largest group of international tourists.

To address these concerns, Thailand has made efforts to assure Chinese tourists of their safety. Recently, the Thai government announced plans to cut electricity supply to certain border regions with Myanmar in an attempt to shut down illegal scam centres that have flourished in Southeast Asia, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic. The United Nations has highlighted the growing problem of human trafficking, with hundreds of thousands of individuals being coerced into working at scam centres in countries such as Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos.

Meanwhile, Thailand is also balancing its position amidst the ongoing trade war between China and the United States. Despite the tensions, Thailand has expressed optimism about benefiting from the changing trade dynamics, with Thai exports to the US expected to rise as the US imposes tariffs on Chinese goods.

With both countries navigating challenging global issues, the strengthening of China-Thailand relations could provide a crucial opportunity for collaboration in the face of increasing regional instability.