Govt urged to be cautious about One Belt One Road
Thailand and other Asean countries are likely to benefit from China’s One Belt One Road initiative but should not just stand back and let Beijing set the agenda, former World Trade Organisation chief Supachai Panitchpakdi said on Wednesday.
“I don’t like ‘big brothers’, whether they are Chinese or American, in the region," he said.
He suggested that the Thai government strengthen cooperation under the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, which comprises Asean and many other countries including Australia, Japan, India, New Zealand and South Korea. Where RCEP and China have common interests, then cooperation with Beijing should go ahead, he said.
He noted that the old Silk Road was not only about trade but also had cultural dimensions, so countries should also emphasise cultural cooperation under OBOR, which could lessen the tensions in the South China Sea.
Supachai made the remarks in a speech at a seminar hosted by the Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency.
China has been promoting OBOR as a way to connect many countries via trade and investment. It held a summit on the project a few days ago.
