BEIJING – China and Thailand have agreed to step up their cooperation in the fight against illegal immigration and terror, the Chinese government said on.
Thailand deals with an influx of Uighurs from China’s unruly far western region of Xinjiang.
Chinese officials in Thailand have identified numerous Uighurs among the individuals Thai police have rescued from a people-smuggling camp, and those confirmed to be from China will be sent home.
Thai police told about 200 people rescued in March were believed to be Uighurs, many of whom chafe at Chinese government curbs on their culture and Muslim religion.
In a joint communique released by China’s foreign ministry following a visit to Beijing by Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, both countries said they would hold defence and security dialogue between their defence ministries.
