Chinese-Thailand Cooperation Sparks Green Technology Innovation and Business Expansion
China and Thailand have been forging a strong partnership in the field of green technology innovation, leading to numerous advancements and business opportunities. Recently, the Green Technology Bank Bangkok Center, the first overseas branch of the Green Technology Bank, was inaugurated near Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand. This center, in collaboration with the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Innovation Cooperation Center (Bangkok), aims to promote the transfer and implementation of advanced green technologies within the ASEAN region.
The Green Technology Bank Bangkok Center plays a crucial role in assisting Chinese sci-tech companies entering the Thai market. By providing professional services and guidance on local laws and registration processes, the center helps these companies quickly adapt and establish themselves in Thailand. Many Chinese sci-tech firms have shown interest in implementing their advanced technologies in Thailand, and the center has been actively facilitating this cooperation.
In a remarkable example of this collaboration, the CAS Innovation Cooperation Center (Bangkok) assisted Thailand’s Siam Cement Group in procuring high-end Chinese medical imaging equipment to combat COVID-19. The equipment was donated to Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, significantly enhancing the hospital’s clinical diagnosis capabilities. This successful partnership highlights the mutual benefits derived from China-Thailand cooperation in green technology innovation.
Furthermore, a delegation from Ramathibodi Hospital visited Shanghai institutions, including United Imaging Healthcare, to explore potential collaborations. The Thai delegation was particularly impressed with the first domestically produced proton therapy system, which offers cost-effective medical services. Plans are underway to accelerate the application of proton therapy in local hospitals, reducing equipment and medical costs and delivering better healthcare services to patients.
Another significant milestone achieved through Chinese-Thailand cooperation is the signing of a deal to build Thailand’s first 5G-enabled smart autonomous driving mining project. The project aims to leverage cutting-edge technologies such as 5G, artificial intelligence, autonomous driving, and cloud computing to make Siam Cement Group’s mine in Saraburi Province greener, smarter, more efficient, and safer. This pioneering project will enhance safety standards, boost productivity, and reduce energy consumption.
Recognizing Thailand’s position as the world’s largest natural rubber producer and exporter, efforts are being made to improve the tapping process. Currently, manual tapping of rubber trees is labor-intensive and inefficient. To address this, unmanned automated tapping machines are being promoted, along with the installation of solar panel canopies to harness clean energy and reduce electricity costs. These initiatives aim to increase productivity while making the process more sustainable.
Thailand is also taking steps to highlight and promote green technologies on a global stage. The upcoming Green Technology Expo 2023, organized by the CAS Innovation Cooperation Center (Bangkok), will showcase the latest green tech innovations from around the world. This event, with its focus on transitioning to newer, cleaner, and sustainable evergreen technology, has attracted interest from Chinese automakers and companies from ASEAN countries.
To effectively reach the Thai market and facilitate in-depth China-Thailand exchanges on green and low-carbon development, a press conference was recently held in Shanghai to promote the expo. The aim is to create a platform for further collaboration and knowledge-sharing between the two countries.
The China-Thailand cooperation in green technology innovation has demonstrated significant progress in recent years. From medical advancements to smart mining projects and sustainable energy solutions, these joint efforts are laying the groundwork for a greener and more sustainable future. With increasing interest from businesses and organizations, this partnership is poised to bring about further innovation, economic growth, and environmental benefits to both countries and the ASEAN region as a whole.