Eyeing future gains, Somkid comforts Hong Kong leader

THURSDAY, October 24, 2019

Travelling on from Guangdong province, Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak on Thursday (October 24) met with Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam.

Somkid was among speakers at a seminar entitled “Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area: New Horizon for China’s Reform and Opening-up”.
Addressing reporters after meeting Lam, Somkid noted that Thailand and Hong Kong have a long-standing relationship which he believed would be further strengthened cooperation by their conversation, especially economic ties.
“Chief Lam visited Thailand earlier this year, which led to the establishment of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Bangkok to develop startup businesses connected to Hong Kong’s capital markets and innovative economy.”
He said he had two purposes for visiting.
“First, I wanted to show my support for Chief Lam and give her my best wishes to overcome any problems Hong Kong is facing. Thailand has faced similar problems in the past where disagreement in society has escalated into violence. But I believe that the leader can overcome any obstacle with intelligence, patience and adherence to peaceful approaches.”

His other motive was to promote bilateral cooperation between Thailand and China’s Greater Bay Area (GBA), made up of Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Macao, under President Xi Jinping’s One Belt One Road policy. It aims to promote free and inclusive trade among 122 countries and 29 international organisations.
“Connecting the Thai economy to the GBA will create a positive atmosphere in international trade that helps alleviate the tension caused by the US-China trade war,” Somkid said. “The GBA also has the potential to be a future market for us once the Eastern Economic Corridor is fully developed and makes Thailand the central hub of the Asean economy.”
Lam expressed confidence in Hong Kong’s economic potential despite the ongoing pro-democracy protests.
“Hong Kong is the world’s third-largest financial centre and the biggest in Asia, while our stock markets stand at sixth in the global rankings,” she said. “Hong Kong is also the regional centre of research and development in healthcare, artificial intelligence and robotics. We are planning to establish the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Technology Park in Shenzhen to exchange science and engineering innovations with mainland China.
“Although the protest is affecting the Hong Kong economy, the government of the Special Administrative Region is positive it can overcome the conflict and successfully employ the ‘one country, two systems’ approach that promotes win-win cooperation from all parties.”