Thailand has become an important economic partner with Zhanjiang as economic ties between the two parties get increasingly stronger, said Wang Zhongbing, mayor of Zhanjiang.

Wang made the comment at the ceremony for signing memorandum of understanding on economic cooperation between the two sides on May 26.

The MOU was signed by the Zhanjiang Municipal Committee of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade and the Economy and Thailand's Trade Development Commission of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) led by Jack Tchen, chairman of the commission.

Jack Tchen (back, L6), chairman of the Economic and the Trade Development Commission of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in Thailand, and Zhanjiang Mayor Wang Zhongbing (back, L7) attend the signing ceremony of MoU in Zhanjiang on May 26. [Photo/zhanjiang.gov.cn]

Taking advantage of the Belt and Road Initiative, Zhanjiang strives to enhance mutual cooperation and exchanges with countries along the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, the mayor pointed out, adding that Zhanjiang municipal government pays utmost attention to economic and cultural ties with Thailand, which he said is one of the most important countries along the Maritime Silk Road.

The mayor believed that the two sides will achieve mutual common economic development and prosperity by making joint efforts.

Jack Tchen said that Zhanjiang is one of the strategic pivot cities for maritime cooperation in China's Belt and Road Initiative, while Thailand is a key country of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. The cooperation between Zhanjiang and Thailand will have significant impact on both sides in terms of economy and trade, he stressed.

The signing ceremony is a new start which marks the beginning of further comprehensive cooperation between the two sides. Thailand SMEs Commission will do its best on joint projects in order to deepen the economic and trade exchanges between Zhanjiang and Thailand, Tchen added.

Edited by Mevlut Katik