Virachai outlines role for boosting ties with China

One of his immediate tasks is how to convince China that Thailand is ready to welcome Chinese visitors once again following the recent airport occupations, which have had a major adverse effect on the tourism industry.

Another key task is to negotiate trade deals with China, seen as a key importer of Thai agricultural products, such as natural rubber.

"One thing to be done quickly is to ask China to lift its travel ban, imposed when Thailand was seen as an unsafe destination," he said.

The Thai domestic situation has already been normalised, and the government will have to send out a strong signal that it is prepared to provide safety and comfort for Chinese visitors, he added.

Virachai said the upcoming Asean Summit in Bangkok would be clear proof of a return to normalcy and that this was expected to help revive the confidence of foreign visitors to again choose Thailand as their destination.

A road show by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to China - as well as to major trading partners like Japan, India, the European Union and the United States - is on the drawing board to promote tourism and shore up business confidence, he said.

Thai and Chinese authorities are in negotiations over the promotion of the tourism industry, and arrivals from China may resume during the Chinese New Year holiday, scheduled to start on January 26.

In regard to the export of agriculture products, he said talks were under way at every level in China - the national government, local administrations and the state enterprise responsible for imports - to solicit orders.

China normally absorbs about 40 per cent of Thai exports of natural rubber. Thai authorities are trying to confirm orders from Chinese buyers who have recently backed out of deals, he added.

Due to falling rubber prices, Thai sellers want to deliver their products at the agreed terms in order to shore up the market. However, Chinese buyers want to pay at the current market price, which is lower than when the orders were made.

For the promotion of long-term Thai-Chinese relations, the countries might form a joint committee chaired by deputy prime ministers from both sides.

The committee will be tasked with strategic coordination to ensure sustainable and fair ties for the mutual benefit of the two nations. One area of coordination might be the establishment of standards for agricultural products.

The PM's Office minister said he remained optimistic that Thai-Chinese relations would grow, regardless of the global economic turmoil.

The key to thriving ties is mutual benefits which will, in turn, help both sides to overcome the economic downturn, he said.

Virachai also ruled out speculation that Chinese authorities might not be willing to work with the Abhisit Vejjajiva government, since they were close to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

China sees Thailand as a strategic partner and will not allow individual ties to jeopardise its strategic interests, he said, adding that the speculation was unjustified.

He said he wanted to work behind the scenes under a non-partisan quota.

He first secured a government job under the Thaksin administration by working as an aide to then deputy prime minister Somkid Jatusripitak,

His second appointment came under the Surayud Chulanont government.

Virachai said he felt privileged to have a third chance to serve under the Democrats, although he would remain committed to non-partisanship.