ISTANBUL 

Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn began a historic visit to China on Thursday, marking the first trip by a Thai monarch to the country since the two nations established diplomatic relations in 1975.

Visuals released by state media showed Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi receiving King Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida at Beijing airport for a five-day state visit at the invitation of President Xi Jinping.

The Thai monarch will have separate audiences with Xi and Chinese Premier Li Qiang, as this year marks 50 years of the diplomatic ties between the two Asian nations.

The two sides are expected to discuss advancing China-Thailand relations, strengthening economic cooperation, and expanding cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

Bilateral trade between the two countries stood at $133.98 billion last year, as China remains the largest export destination for Thai products.

King Vajiralongkorn has only made one official trip abroad, to Bhutan in April this year, since he ascended to the throne in 2016.