The meeting between Chinese representatives and RFD officers on traceability of  timber was held on 9 June 2016 during 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. at Thai-EU FLEGT Secretariat Office meeting room. Mr.Xu Xinjian, Director, Division of Development Planning and Fund Management, China’s State Forestry Administration (SFA), Mr.Kong Ming, Deputy Directory-General, Division of Development Planning and Fund Management, China’s State Forestry Administration (SFA), Dr.Chen Yong,Researcher, Chinese Academy of Forestry (CAF), Ms.Ji Lin, Assistant to the Executive Director, Global Environmental Institute (GEI), the representatives from The People’s Republic of China visited RFD officers, Mr.Sapol Boonsermsuk, Director of International Forestry Cooperation Office,Mr. Banjong Wongsrisoontron, Director of Forest Certificate and Director of Thai-EU Secretariat Office, Mr. Boonsuthee  Jirawongpanit ,Director of Standardization Division, RFD and Somrudee Nicro, Ph.D., Consultant to The EU FLEGT Facility from European Forest Institute (EFI). The meeting aimed to support in exchanging and collaboration on timber trade between Republic of China and Thailand.

The representatives from The People’s Republic of China said that Thailand is the important trading partner, The volume of the woods which import to China are more than 3 millions cubic meter. By the way, The representative from The People’s Republic of China enquires about exporting method, relevant documents  and classification of illegal timber in  the Thai context, including required to understand new regulations from Thai side, to distribute the informations to Chinese trader.

Thai representatives presented FLEGT VPA progress in Thailand, the subject was interested by Chinese representatives, Especially the progress of TLAS, They are also asked questions on TLAS , LD , the participation in FLEGT process from the relevant stakeholders .

Thailand is now preparing for the first negotiate with EU which Draft LD will be presented at that time. However,  FLEGT VPA implementation must be success in 2022 as planed, Thai representation said.

Chinese representative presented on LD progress which was sent the first draft to EU in 2011 and the second draft of LD is now under processing.

Besides, traceability system discussion, Chinese representatives informed the project of legal timber trade namely “China-ASEAN Forestry Cooperation Forum” hosted by Republic of China will be hold at Guangxi autonomous region. For the exactly date and time, Republic of China will inform through MoNRE.