BANGKOK — China’s newly appointed Ambassador to Thailand Zhang Jianwei held his first media briefing with Thai journalists on September 11, addressing growing concerns about Chinese influence and tourist safety perceptions that have strained bilateral relations.
Zhang, who officially assumed his role as China’s 14th Ambassador to Thailand on July 29, used the meeting at the Chinese Embassy to tackle sensitive issues that have dominated social media discussions between the two nations.
Addressing Safety Concerns
The ambassador directly responded to perceptions among some Chinese citizens that Thailand is unsafe for tourists, an image problem that has affected visitor numbers despite Thailand’s visa-free policy for Chinese travelers.
“When I was preparing to come to Thailand, friends asked if it would be safe here. But after arriving, I found their concerns were completely unfounded,” Zhang said.
He attributed much of the negative perception to distorted reporting, particularly surrounding the case of Chinese actor Wang Xing, who was deceived by a scammer network. Zhang emphasized that the incident had nothing to do with Thailand itself but was misrepresented in social media coverage.
“The Thai government is making every effort to ensure safety, and the Chinese Embassy is working closely with them to help Chinese citizens understand the real facts,” he stated.
“Gray Chinese” Business Practices
The briefing also addressed Thai concerns about some Chinese businesses operating unethically in Thailand – a phenomenon locally termed “Gray Chinese.”
Prap Boonpan, Managing Director of Matichon Group, raised this issue during the session, noting that while Thais appreciate Chinese products and increased tourism, some worry about Chinese entrepreneurs taking advantage of Thailand’s economy.
Zhang acknowledged the concern but insisted such cases represent a tiny fraction of Chinese business investment in Thailand. He said the embassy regularly reminds Chinese businesses to respect Thai laws and emphasized that most Chinese investors come with friendly intentions to benefit local communities under a “live in Thailand, work for Thailand” approach.
Rejecting “Province” Claims
Addressing social media debates about whether Thailand has become China’s “Taiguo Province,” Zhang called such suggestions impossible and historically unfounded.
“How could Thai people allow such a thing to happen? Looking back at history, you can see that Thailand and China have always had mutually beneficial relationships,” he said.
The ambassador emphasized China’s foreign policy of promoting peace and equality with all nations, regardless of size or development level. He noted that in the 76 years since the Communist Party’s founding, China has never waged war or invaded any country.
Strengthening Media Cooperation
Senior journalist Pravit Rojanaphruk from Khaosod English reflected concerns about Chinese regional influence, prompting Zhang to frame any negative perceptions as minor family disputes rather than serious diplomatic issues.
Zhang concluded by urging Thai media to report on China accurately and comprehensively, emphasizing China’s readiness to cooperate with Thailand through bilateral and regional mechanisms.
Historic Royal Visit Planned
The session marked the ambassador’s first major outreach effort as both countries commemorate 50 years of diplomatic relations in 2025, with Zhang expressing gratitude for the Thai people’s genuine friendship toward China throughout this partnership. He also highlighted the upcoming celebration of this special milestone, announcing that His Majesty the King of Thailand and Her Majesty the Queen will make a historic visit to China in December this year.
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