BEIJING — China and Thailand signed deals on railway and agricultural technology cooperation following the 5th China-Thailand Joint Committee on Trade, Investment and Economic Cooperation Meeting held on Dec 9 in Beijing.

The two sides signed an agreement to extend their five-year plan for economic and trade cooperation and make a joint action plan, a memorandum on railway cooperation, and a deal on agricultural product e-certificate technology.

The annual meeting, co-chaired by State Councilor Wang Yong and visiting Thai Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, is aimed at strengthening pragmatic cooperation and working together on the Belt and Road Initiative, which was proposed by China in 2013 to enhance regional connectivity.

The two sides agreed to make full use of the current bilateral cooperation mechanisms, dovetail their development strategies and continue to strengthen trade, investment and major project cooperation.

Wang suggested that China and Thailand further strengthen pragmatic cooperation in tourism, finance, economic and trade cooperation at the provincial level, as well as regional economic integration.

Somkid agreed to strengthen cooperation with China, particularly in major areas such as infrastructure, industrial clusters, ICT (information and communication technologies), technology and energy.

He said Thailand will support and work jointly on the Belt and Road Initiative with China.