Agreement between Bangkok and Beijing to strengthen urban development and city collaborations updated.
In a significant move to foster closer ties, the Bangkok Metropolitan Council and the Beijing Municipal People's Congress have signed a revised Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on September 16, 2023. This agreement, built on a longstanding partnership of over 24 years, first established in 2001, aims to support exchanges between youth, public organisations, and community groups from both cities.
The updated MOU seeks to promote mutual understanding and shared benefits across various areas, including the environment, economy, education, traffic and transport, public health, urban planning, drainage, tourism, sports, culture, governance, community development, social welfare, and digital technology.
Viput Srivaurai, Chairman of the Bangkok Metropolitan Council, and Li Xiuling, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Beijing Municipal People's Congress, met in the People's Republic of China to formalise the agreement.
Beijing, a modern, well-planned city with advanced technology, an efficient public transport system, green initiatives such as public bicycles, and many historical and cultural landmarks, will share its expertise with Bangkok to improve its traffic management and mass transit systems. This is crucial, as Bangkok, being Thailand's centre for finance, commerce, and culture, faces heavy traffic and a fragmented public transport system.
The partnership aligns with the nine strategic development areas that the Bangkok Metropolitan Council is promoting, particularly the smart city, liveable city, and cultural city aspects. The MOU aims to raise standards in public health, education, and overall quality of life in Bangkok, while adopting environmental and clean energy practices to guide Bangkok toward a sustainable green city.
According to Viput, what unites Bangkok and Beijing is the commitment to make their cities liveable and improve the quality of life for their citizens. Li Xiuling, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Beijing Municipal People's Congress, described Thailand as a top destination for Chinese tourists after Singapore, thanks to its friendliness and safety.
The MOU's implementation is expected to boost tourism between Bangkok and Beijing, supported by the Chinese government's visa facilitation and clean energy initiatives. This partnership strengthens Thailand-China relations not only at the council or governmental level but also at the grassroots, forming a foundation for sustainable cooperation in the future.
Moreover, the cooperation allows both cities to pursue these goals more effectively, as stated by Viput. The MOU reinforces the role of people-to-people diplomacy through exchanges involving youth, students, artists, and entrepreneurs from both cities.
The renewal of the MOU coincides with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and China. This partnership will enable Bangkok to maintain its place on the global stage as a modern metropolis while preserving its unique identity. However, the search results do not provide information about who signed the Memorandum of Understanding between the Bangkok Metropolitan Council and the Beijing Municipal People's Congress on September 16, 2023.
In conclusion, the updated MOU between the Bangkok Metropolitan Council and the Beijing Municipal People's Congress marks a significant step forward in strengthening the ties between these two cities. The cooperation will undoubtedly bring about mutual benefits and contribute to the sustainable development of both cities.
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