Zhou Enlai's role in the diplomatic breakthrough of Sino-Thai relations in 1975

Abstract

Zhou En Lai was the first Premier of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) who was appointed the Premier of the State Council for 27 years until the end of his life. In such a role, he played a very important role in China establishing foreign relations with countries around the world. Since the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, the PRC has actively developed friendly foreign relations with many countries on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. The PRC established the official Sino-Thai diplomatic relations in 1975 which contributed to long-term development between China and Thailand and stability and development in the Asian and Southeast Asian regions. This thesis focuses on studying Zhou En Lai’s role in the new diplomatic relations of the 1970’s, and the establishment of formal Sino-Thai diplomatic relations in 1975. The changes in Sino-Thai foreign relations in the 1970’s, and the establishment of ties leading to the formalization of official diplomatic relations in 1975 resulted from Zhou En Lai’s pivotal role. This thesis then considers the subsequent and extraordinary development of the partnership between China and Thailand. Sino-Thai relations date back centuries, long before any formal diplomatic links were forged. A kindred relationship has in fact existed since the distant Sukhothai era. This long historical linkage has on occasion flourished and at other times been strained. The establishment of ties between China and Thailand, the circumstances and considerations that brought the two countries together, and the part Zhou En Lai played in the process were important in the friendship between China and Thailand. China and Thailand established diplomatic relations on July 1, 1975, when Zhou En Lai and M.R. Kukrit Pramoj the Prime Minister of Thailand, signed a Joint Communiqué to establish official diplomatic relations between the countries. The Sino-Thai leadership and the people of both countries have expended all their energies in maintaining and developing this friendly tie. The Sino-Thai partnership was initially based on mutual respect, trust and understanding. Since then, the partnership has grown tremendously.