On 14-16 August 2025, the ASEAN-China Innovative Economic Forum 2025, Climate Investment and Green Enterprise: Exploring Growth Potential through Regional Green Synergy, was successfully held in Bangkok. The Forum was co-hosted by the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation of Thailand, the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Thailand, and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP). H.E. Ambassador Shi Zhongjun, Secretary General of the ASEAN-China Centre, Dr. Supachai Pathumnakul, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation of Thailand, Mr. Paisan Rupanichkij, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, and Mr. Zhao Mengtao, Political Counsellor of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Thailand, attended the opening ceremony and delivered speeches. Approximately 200 participants attended the event, including government officials and representatives of business associations and enterprises from China, Thailand and other ASEAN countries, as well as representatives of ASEAN diplomatic missions in Thailand.

At the opening ceremony, Secretary General Shi Zhongjun pointed out that in recent years, ASEAN and China have made positive progress in industrial cooperation in fields of low-carbon technologies, clean energy, and green finance. The implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the successful conclusion of negotiations Version 3.0 on the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area have provided institutional guarantees for both sides to deepen cooperation in green transformation and climate governance. By focusing on topics of green finance and energy technologies, this Forum will build an effective platform for regional cooperation in emerging industries, and facilitate the advancement of ASEAN-China and Thailand-China cooperation in the green economy to new heights.

Dr. Supachai Pathumnakul noted that the current global challenges posed by climate change endanger economic development and people's livelihoods, and no single country can handle such threats alone. All countries should join hands to tackle these challenges, and achieve green energy transition through scientific and technological innovation, shaping the future of sustainable development. This Forum provides a platform for exchanges and cooperation among various sectors and industries in the region. He expected all participants to explore new growth models for long-term economic development and jointly contribute to regional green development.

Mr. Paisan Rupanichkij emphasized that ASEAN is striving towards the goal of the ASEAN Vision 2045, while China is actively advocating the implementation of the Global Development Initiative. The two sides share broad consensus and cooperation platforms in promoting green development, with enormous cooperation potential. Thailand has set goals of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and net-zero emissions by 2065. As a global leader in green technologies and the world's second-largest economy, China is an important partner for Thailand and other ASEAN countries in achieving their green transition goals. Both sides should continue to deepen their comprehensive strategic partnership, expand practical cooperation in the green economy, and jointly create a more sustainable and resilient future.

Counsellor Zhao Mengtao stated that guided by President Xi Jinping's thought on ecological civilization, China is willing to continue strengthening strategic alignment with ASEAN in green development, deepening industrial cooperation, sharing technological practices, and working together to build a peaceful, prosperous, and beautiful homeland, making unremitting efforts to implement the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Ms. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Executive Secretary of UNESCAP, delivered a video speech at the opening ceremony stating that China has accumulated valuable experience and practices in developing green economy. She hoped that participants would make good use of this Forum platform to share experiences, form cooperation alliances, and propose effective solutions to address climate change.

Distinguished guests including Prof. Kitipong Urapeepatanapong, Chairman of the Stock Exchange of Thailand; Mr. Vikrom Kromadit, Chairman of the Thailand-China Business Council; Mr. Jonathan Tsuen Yip Wong, Head of Innovation, Enterprise and Investment at UNESCAP; Dr. Pongsiri Vorapongse, Head of Sustainability Strategic Intelligence of SCBX and Member of the Climate Action Working Group of FTI Climate Change Institute; Dr. Wichai Narongwanich, First Senior Vice President of KASIKORNBANK; Mr. Zheng Gang, Vice President and Executive Director of Bank of China (Thailand) Public Company Limited; Ms. Liao Ziwei, Senior Investment Officer at the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank; and Mr. Zhou Jie, Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of the International Clean Energy Forum (Macao), as well as representatives of Chinese and ASEAN enterprises, delivered keynote speeches and engaged in in-depth discussions on climate investment, green finance, and green enterprises.

During the Forum, a symposium themed "Shaping a Sustainable Future: Thailand’s Green Transition Policy and Investment Opportunities" was held. Dr. Sompop Pattanariyankool, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Energy of Thailand; Dr. Cholachit Vorawangso Virakul, Assistant Secretary-General of the Eastern Economic Corridor Office of Thailand; Mr. Anuwat Julintron, Senior Expert of the Office of Industrial Economics, Ministry of Industry of Thailand; and Dr. Kittisak Prukkanone, Director of Strategy and International Cooperation Division,  Department of Climate Change and Environment, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Thailand, provided detailed briefings to Chinese enterprise representatives on Thailand's energy transition strategy, as well as policy measures to encourage green industry development and attract green investment.

Both Chinese and Thai entrepreneurs also participated in a business conference titled "Thai-Chinese Green Partnership: Leading towards Clean and Sustainable Industry". Ms. Apawadee Mungmee, Senior Investment Promotion Officer and Secretariat of Chinese Desk, Foreign Investment Marketing Division of Thailand’s Board of Investment, introduced Thailand's investment policies and incentives to Chinese enterprises. During the discussion, dozens of Thai local enterprises organized by the Federation of Thai Industries conducted business matching and exchanges with participating Chinese enterprises for cooperation opportunities.

During his visit to Thailand, Secretary General Shi Zhongjun also paid courtesy calls on Mr. Boonyong Yongcharoenrat, Vice President of the Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, and Mr. Ruhimat Soerakoesoemah, Director of the UNESCAP Subregional Office for Southeast Asia, among others. They exchanged views on promoting cooperation between China and ASEAN countries including Thailand in green economy and sustainable development. In addition, the ASEAN-China Centre organized Chinese enterprises to visit WHA Industrial Estate in Rayong Province and Amata Nakorn Industrial Estate in Chonburi Province to discuss investment opportunities in Thailand.