Thailand has had a long-term relationship with China in terms of trade, investment and tourism; especially Thai exports of natural rubber to China have continually expanded as China is the world’s biggest tire producer. In 2016, China produced 487.8 million car tires and 92 million truck tires, accounting for 29% and 48% of world tire production respectively, data from LMC. China’s consumption demand of natural rubber is consequently highest in the world for tire manufacture. In 2016, China consumed 4.86 million tons, accounting for 38.63 % of the world total consumption (12.587 million tons) and imported 4.55 million tons of natural rubber, accounting for 40.76 % of the world total imports. Thailand is China’s biggest NR source of imports (2.27 million tons), followed by Vietnam (756,800 tons), Malaysia (669,400 tons) and Indonesia (368,900 tons) data from IRSG. Although China is one of NR producing countries, its output is very low. In 2016, China produced only 774,000 tons of NR. Rubber plantations are found in the Autonomous Dai Prefecture of Xishuangbanna, which covers the area of 20,000 square kilometers, out of which 20% in used for rubber plantation. Other crops are tea, sugarcane and banana. NR consumption demand in China grows continuously due to 2 main factors. Chinese car industry is of big scale and quick expansion. China reached 28.02 million car sales in 2016 and 28.59 in 2017 respectively. Car industry consumes a significant amount of NR. Another factor is that Chinese industries are of fast growth and variety. There are 107 industries in all provinces.

The above data suggests that China’s potential and growth has positive impact on the economy of ASEAN, especially on rubber industry. Therefore, it is necessary that Thai government and private sector promote trade and investment and international relation with China. In this regard, China Rubber Industry Association (CRIA), which is one of the leading rubber organizations of China, is to organize China Rubber Conference & China Rubber Expo 2018, featuring tyre and non-tyre products as well as rubber materials during 27-30 March 2018 at Shangri-La Hotel, Qingdao, China. Mr. Supadetch Ongsakul, TRA Deputy Secretary General was invited to participate as a speaker in a rubber forum to be held on 29 March 2018. The Thai Rubber Association is pleased to cooperate with China Rubber Industry Association for the mutual sustainable development of rubber industry of Thailand and China. I take this opportunity to invite interested parties to attend China Rubber Conference & China Rubber Expo 2018. Details can be fetched at www.criaevents.com