Why did the former Thai deputy prime minister give thumbs-up to China's five-year plans? In a recent interview with China Daily, Phinij Jarusombat, chairman of the Thai-Chinese Cultural Promotion Committee, said that as China moves toward faster, higher-quality, and more prosperous development, countries around the world can also share in these opportunities created by China's development.

"Given the current development landscape, Thailand urgently needs to deepen comprehensive cooperation with China," he said. "Both sides can strengthen collaboration not only in regional security, peace and stability, but also expand cooperation in economic and trade exchanges, energy supply, food security, education and culture," Jarusombat added.