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 2013, China produced 413.2 million car tires and 79.6 million truck tires, accounting for 25% and 44% of world tire production respectively, data from LMC. China’s consumption demand of natural rubber is consequently highest in the world for tire production. In 2013, China consumed 4.15 million tons and imported 3.65 million tons of natural rubber, accounting for 70% of the world total imports. Thailand is China’s biggest NR source of imports (2.02 million tons), followed by Malaysia (879,700 tons), Indonesia (582,300 tons) and Vietnam (521,400 tons), data from IRSG. In 2014, the Rubber Research Institute of Thailand estimated that Thailand exported 2.3 million tons of NR to China.

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. This year is the 100th anniversary of Chinese rubber industry and the 30th anniversary of China Rubber Industry Association (CRIA), which is one of the leading rubber organizations of China, established in 1985, comprising of more than 1,200 member enterprises, consisting of 13 branches, viz. tire, hose belt, shoes, rubber products, latex, carbon black, etc. CRIA plays an important role of the bridge and tie connecting enterprises with Government of China and other business sectors.

CRIA is to organize China Rubber Conference & China Rubber Expo 2015 during 7-10 April 2015 at Baiyun International Convention Center, Guangzhou. I was invited to participate as a speaker in a conference held on 9 April 2015. I take this opportunity to invite interested parties to attend China Rubber

Conference & China Rubber Expo 2015. Details can be fetched at http://expo.criaevents.com/2015/cre/en/
On the auspicious occasion of attaining the 30th anniversary in 2015, on behalf of the Thai Rubber Association, I, Chaiyos Sincharoenkul would like to express my cordial admiration and present the most congratulations to the long term success and incessant progress of China Rubber Industry Association. I wish all the planned activities of the Association be crowned with success and happiness in all their future endeavors and would like to pass my best wishes and blessings to the China Rubber Industry Association.

The Thai Rubber Asociation is pleased to cooperate with China Rubber Industry Association for the mutual sustainable development of rubber industry of Thailand and China.