Chinese Defence Minister visits Thailand to forge closer security ties into a new dimension, eyeing elevated cooperation in defence industry, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity to drive the comprehensive strategic partnership forward.
On 24 July 2026, General Adun Bunthamcharoen, Minister of Defence, received Admiral Dong Jun, Minister of National Defence of the People's Republic of China, and his delegation on an official visit to Thailand as a guest of the Ministry of Defence, from 23 to 26 July 2026.
The Ministry of Defence hosted a tri-service ceremonial guard of honour inspection at the multipurpose grounds of the Defence Ministry building. The Thai and Chinese Defence Ministers then held security talks to strengthen their bilateral relations, as part of the celebrations marking the anniversary of Thai-Chinese relations.
Key discussion topics between the two Defence Ministers focused on advancing the comprehensive strategic partnership, developing the defence industry as a follow-on from Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's promotion of the World AI Conference 2026 in Shanghai, as well as discussing a strategic cooperation framework covering the defence industry, Responsible AI, and cybersecurity in alignment with international standards. The two sides also discussed resolving the Thailand–Cambodia border issue through bilateral mechanisms and peaceful negotiation conducted in good faith. Both sides are looking to establish a joint mechanism involving the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and the Ministers of Defence as a platform for strategic security dialogue and the suppression of transnational crime through intelligence sharing and law enforcement cooperation.
Following the conclusion of the talks, the Minister of National Defence of the People's Republic of China is scheduled to pay a courtesy call in the afternoon on Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul at the Ivory Room, Thai Khu Fah Building, Government House, after which the Ministry of Defence will host a dinner reception in honour of the Chinese Defence Minister in the evening.
The Chinese Defence Minister is also scheduled to visit and observe operations of the Special Warfare Command in Lopburi Province on Saturday, 25 July 2026.
