By: Jay Hunter Anson

This article describes the steps needed to complete both internal and external ISO 27001 audits that prove the Republic of Palau’s Ministry of Finance follows up-to-date information security management standards.

• Overview of ISO/IEC 27001 audits
• Importance of ISO 27001 Audits
• Types of ISO 27001 Audits
• Why an ISO 27001 Audit is Important
• ISO 27001 Audit Stages
• ISO 27001 Auditors
• ISO 27001 Audit Timeline

“Palau’s security strategy is critically dependent on our response to the numerous opportunities and challenges posed by the cyberspace environment in which the international community operates.” 2022 Republic of Palau National Security Strategy

Why ISO 27001?

ISO 27001 is one of the most widely recognized and internationally accepted information security standards. It’s one of the few standards that uses a top-down, risk-based approach to evaluation. It identifies requirements and specifications for a comprehensive Information Security Management System (ISMS), defining how an organization should manage and treat information more securely, including applicable security controls.

Overview of ISO 27001 Audits

An ISO 27001 audit is a review process that ensures the Ministry of Finance’s information security management system (ISMS) aligns with the most recent information security standards, as defined by ISO/IEC 27001:2022 guidelines. Organizations must conduct a series of regular internal audits and external audits to receive and retain their ISO 27001 certification. 

ISO 27001 certification will demonstrate that the Ministry of Finance’s ISMS controls are sufficient to secure its data, documents, and other information assets. An ISO 27001 certificate also gives the Ministry of Finance a competitive advantage, showcasing that our security controls are more rigorous and aligned with international standards.

To qualify for certification, the Ministry of Finance must receive an external audit from an accredited, objective auditing firm or approved ISO 27001 auditor to prove their processes and systems meet ISO/IEC 27001:2022 expectations.

Continuous ISO 27001 audits demonstrate the efficiency and efficacy of the Ministry of Finance’s security controls. Plus, these audits measure and show ongoing compliance with ISO standards. Regularly conducting audits allows the Ministry of Finance to review and assess the level of residual risk involved with their existing information security standards. 

With the results from an IT audit for ISO 27001, the Ministry of Finance can continue to improve their ISMS controls and standards to make residual risk more tolerable. 

Importance of ISO 27001 Audits

Fundamentally, a series of ISO 27001 audits are required to complete the ISO 27001 certification process. Without successfully completing these audits, the Ministry of Finance cannot claim to comply with the international standards for information security management. 

In some cases, the Ministry of Finance may not be able to work with clients or partners who contractually require compliance with ISO 27001 standards to enter or renew a contract. This can make ISO 27001 audits essential for the Ministry of Finance to attract or retain clients within their industry.

After the Ministry of Finance receives its ISO 27001 certification, it must follow a regular auditing schedule to demonstrate ongoing compliance with ISO 27001 standards and maintain certification.

Audits show that the Ministry of Finance’s systems, processes, and controls are working effectively and continuously protecting its information assets. 

Regularly scheduled audits assess for new risks as the Ministry of Finance expands, allowing us to identify preemptively any weaknesses in our existing systems. These audits also reveal opportunities for the Ministry of Finance to strengthen existing data management and IT security practices.

Types of ISO 270001 Audits

ISO 27001 compliance requires conducting two types of audits: internal audits and external audits. Accreditation bodies across the world have different requirements for how often audits must be completed to maintain compliance. For the Ministry of Finance to remain ISO 27001 certified,  periodic internal and external audit are required.

Internal Audit

An ISO 27001 internal audit is a review of the Ministry of Finance’s ISMS completed by objective, internal staff trained in ISO 27001 standards, or an external contractor hired to work alongside an internal team. Even when an internal audit is completed by an external party, it’s considered internal unless this party is part of an ISO 27001 certification body.

A consistent ISO 27001 audit program is required to maintain compliance. An approved ISO 27001 audit plan defines how frequently internal audits are conducted, the methods used to complete the audit, and who is responsible for planning, completing, and reporting audit results. 

The Ministry of Finance works with the certifying body to determine the appropriate ISO 27001 audit frequency. Normally, the Ministry of Finance will be required to complete an annual ISO 27001 audit. 

Typically, an ISO 27001 internal audit involves:

• Reviewing and maintaining internal documentation for policies and procedures
• Sampling evidence from the ISMS as part of a field review, demonstrating that the policies and procedures are followed consistently
• Analyzing findings from document review and field review to ensure they meet ISO 27001 requirements
• Implementing improvements, as needed, based on audit findings

The ISO 27001 certification audit process begins with an internal audit, where the Ministry of Finance reviews its current IT processes and documents the scope of its ISMS audit for further external review. 

Next, the Ministry of Finance completes a risk assessment and gap analysis, presenting these audits alongside other documentation to external auditors or a certifying body. 

Finally, if the Ministry of Finance chooses to pursue certification, we must conduct regularly planned internal audits to maintain compliance.

External Audit

External audits are conducted by accredited, certifying bodies to confirm compliance with ISO 27001 standards. the Ministry of Finance must participate in four external audits:

• ISMS Design Review. the Ministry of Finance defines the ISMS audit scope and request an accredited auditor complete the ISMS Design Review. During this ISO 27001 external audit, the auditor reviews the Ministry of Finance’s documentation, processes, and procedures to ensure our ISMS controls and design align with ISO 27001 standards. If the Ministry of Finance meets the ISMS Design Review requirements, the auditor will recommend the Ministry of Finance for the Certification Audit.
• Certification Audit. During the Certification Audit, an auditor will review the Ministry of Finance’s business processes and controls through a field review to ensure the 93 primary controls of ISO 27001 are met, as referenced in Annex A. Meeting these requirements make the Ministry of Finance eligible for full ISO 27001 certification.
• Surveillance Audits. To maintain compliance after certification, certifying bodies conduct Surveillance Audits. Random data samples are evaluated to ensure procedures and processes are being followed, as defined by the Ministry of Finance’s documentation. Surveillance audits often focus on specific ISMS areas and happen before recertification.
• Recertification Audits. Finally, the Ministry of Finance will undergo an extensive Recertification Audit every three years to maintain ISO 27001 certification eligibility. This review covers all areas of the ISMS and mimics the initial Certification Audit, ensuring that the Ministry of Finance is continuously following ISO 27001 standards and improving its ISMS as new risks arise.

ISO 27001 Audit Stages

As the Ministry of Finance prepares for ISO 27001 certification, it’s important to understand the two stages that make up the initial certification audit. The audit criteria for ISO 27001 are defined by these two stages, and the Ministry of Finance’s certification eligibility is contingent on passing both audit stages. As a best practice, organizations will hire a separate external auditor to support them in completing stage 1 compliance requirements before requesting an external audit from the certifying body for stage 2. 

Stage 1 of the ISO 27001 audit is called the ISMS Design Review. Before the Ministry of Finance requests an ISMS Design audit, it’s critical to properly prepare for what an ISMS Design Review entails. An ISO 27001 audit checklist can help with stage 1 audit preparation.

• First, the ISSS team will work to determine the Ministry of Finance’s risk tolerance and security baselines based on stakeholder expectations, to include legal or contractual requirements. These elements will define the scope, security objectives, and statement of applicability for the Ministry of Finance’s certification audit. 
• Next, the Ministry of Finance must thoroughly document all ISMS processes, procedures, policies, guidelines, and controls based on the requirements detailed in ISO 27001 and ISO 27002. the Ministry of Finance will complete a risk assessment, risk treatment, and gap analysis for submission with all other documentation.
• Once the Ministry of Finance implements and documents the ISMS controls, an auditor conducts the ISMS Design Review. All documentation will be evaluated to ensure ISO 27001 requirements are met. Upon completion, the auditor will provide the Ministry of Finance with an ISO 27001 audit report. 
• The audit report includes findings and recommendations to improve The Ministry of Finance’s processes or controls before pursuing stage 2. the Ministry of Finance’s employees may also

need to complete additional security training to meet ISO 27001 stage 1 audit standards before moving forward with stage 2 of the certification process.

• If an auditor recommends the Ministry of Finance for certification after stage 1, we will be eligible to move forward with stage 2 to pursue certification.

In the ISO 27001 stage 2 audit, an auditor from a certifying body will complete an evidential field review to confirm that the Ministry of Finance’s business processes and controls within the ISMS align with the documented and approved procedures from stage 1. 

• The auditor surveys a thorough, random sampling of data and information assets as evidence to confirm that the Ministry of Finance’s ISMS operates effectively and meets the requirements dictated by ISO 27001 and the obligatory Annex A controls. This evidence should demonstrate that the Ministry of Finance’s procedures work as they’ve been documented. 
• To complete the audit, auditors will often interview key stakeholders responsible for managing the ISMS system as well as members of the internal audit and compliance teams. They’ll also request evidence of prior audit reports and any remediations completed based on stage 1 results. These audit reports inform them of non-conformities presented by the previous auditor, while management audits confirm that improvements were implemented after the audit.
• Stage 2 is also the time to define the processes moving forward after certification. This includes security awareness training procedures and the internal audit process, which must be documented to achieve certification and maintain continuous compliance. 

Once the stage 2 ISO 27001 audit process is passed, the Ministry of Finance will be ISO 27001-certified for three years. However, the Ministry of Finance will complete and submit yearly surveillance audits to follow the required internal audit schedule submitted to the certifying body and show that their controls are continuously operating as intended.

ISO 27001 Auditors

Valid internal and external ISO 27001 audits must be conducted by objective, competent, and experienced auditors with demonstrable knowledge of the ISO 27001 standard. Demonstrable knowledge is commonly indicated by formal education or certification. However, a certifying body may approve an auditor who can show knowledge through relevant ISO 27001 audit questions and answers.

For internal audits, auditors must belong to a team that’s separate from the stakeholders maintaining the ISMS to ensure they are not reviewing their own work or creating a conflict of interest. Since the Ministry of Finance is without a separate compliance division or auditing team, it’s common to hire a formally trained contractor or auditing firm to support the internal audit plan. These firms can help the Ministry of Finance avoid common ISO 27001 audit mistakes.

Certification agencies have approved and accredited auditors who perform external certification, surveillance, and recertification audits. Often, these auditors have completed the ISO 27001 Lead Auditor course or a similar formal training-certification course.

ISO 27001 Audit Timeline

Auditing the Ministry of Finance’s ISMS for certification can be a lengthy process. For most small to mid-sized organizations, the initial certification process takes between 6 and 12 months to complete from start to finish. Larger organizations with a more comprehensive ISMS or more extensive scope can expect the process to take up to 18 months. 

The Ministry of Finance should expect to prepare documentation extensively even before pursuing the stage 1 ISMS Design Review. This process alone can often take 6 to 10 months. the Ministry of Finance may need to complete multiple internal audits and implementations before the ISMS is ready to start the certification process.

Once the certification process begins, an auditor will work with the Ministry of Finance to create an ISO 27001 audit schedule. This schedule determines the timeline for an auditor to review thoroughly the documentation in stage 1 and collect enough evidence to prove compliance in stage 2. 

While document review during stage 1 typically takes about a week to complete, stage 2 often takes longer because auditors interview stakeholders and spend more time examining the Ministry of Finance’s ISMS. 

During either step, auditors may present remediations that must be completed before the Ministry of Finance can move forward with certification. Depending on what remediations are necessary to meet ISO 27001 standards, completing the necessary improvements can further extend the timeline for ISO 27001 certification.

By: Rahul Kumar Ojha

Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi will be the Chief Guest at the Republic Day celebrations of India on January 26, 2023 marking a significant step in strengthening bilateral relations between the two nations. The visit, which will take place from January 25-27, 2023 is expected to focus on a number of key areas, including security, defence, cybersecurity, and agriculture.

In terms of security, the two countries are expected to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation in the fight against terrorism. India and Egypt have both been affected by terrorism in recent years, and by working together, they can share information and best practices to help combat this global threat.

Defence is also set to be a major topic of discussion during President Sisi’s visit. India is one of the largest importers of defence equipment in the world, and Egypt is a major producer of military hardware. By strengthening defence ties, the two countries can explore opportunities for collaboration in the defence industry, including joint ventures and technology transfer.

Cybersecurity is another area where India and Egypt can benefit from increased cooperation. As the world becomes increasingly digitised, the threat of cyber-attacks is on the rise. By working together, the two countries can better protect their citizens and businesses from cybercrime.

Agriculture is also expected to feature prominently on the agenda during President Sisi’s visit. India and Egypt have a long history of cooperation in this field, and by sharing knowledge and expertise, they can help to improve food security and increase agricultural productivity.

In addition to these key areas, the two countries are also expected to discuss a range of other topics, including trade and investment, education, and culture. President Sisi’s visit is an opportunity for India and Egypt to build on the strong foundations of their bilateral relationship and explore new ways to cooperate and collaborate.

Overall, President Sisi’s visit to India is a significant step forward in the relationship between the two countries. The discussions on security, defence, cyber security and agriculture will play an important role in building trust and cooperation between India and Egypt. This visit will also help in further strengthening the ties and will pave the way for a more prosperous future for both the nations.

India and Egypt have a long history of defence cooperation, dating back to the 1950s. This cooperation has been characterised by regular high-level visits, joint military exercises, and the sale of military equipment.

In the past, India has provided military assistance to Egypt in the form of training and equipment. India has trained Egyptian military personnel in various fields such as artillery, engineering, and communications. India has also provided military equipment to Egypt, including tanks and transport aircraft.

Both countries have also conducted joint military exercises in the past. In 2008, India and Egypt conducted their first joint military exercise, named ‘Sahyog-Kaijin’, which focused on counter-terrorism operations. Since then, both countries have regularly conducted joint military exercises, with the most recent one being held in 2019, called ‘Hand-in-Hand 2019’ which was held in Rajasthan, India.

India and Egypt have also cooperated in the area of defence industry and technology. India has provided assistance to Egypt in the establishment of a defence production facility, and both countries have collaborated in the development of military hardware such as radar and communication systems.

In recent years, India and Egypt have been working to further strengthen their defence cooperation. In 2018, India and Egypt signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on defence cooperation, which includes provisions for regular consultations and exchanges between the two countries on defence-related matters, and for cooperation in areas such as counter-terrorism, maritime security, and defence industry.

India and Egypt have also been cooperating on regional and international security issues, including in the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). Both countries have also been working together to combat terrorism and extremism in the region.

In conclusion, India and Egypt have a long history of defence cooperation, which has been characterised by regular high-level visits, joint military exercises, and the sale of military equipment. Both countries have also been working to further strengthen their defence cooperation in recent years, including through regular consultations and cooperation in areas such as counter-terrorism, maritime security, and defence industry. The defence relationship between India and Egypt continues to be an important pillar of their bilateral relations and both countries have been working to enhance the scope and scale of their defence ties in recent years.

By: Hitti Chopra, GSDN

Vietnam’s 10^th President, Nguyen Xuan Phuc resigned last week amid the ongoing anti-corruption drive. The Communist Party of Vietnam stated that Phuc resigned after the ruling party held him responsible for “violations and wrongdoings” done by the officials under his control while being Prime Minister.

Phuc started his political career in 1979 at the provincial level and took his first position in national government in 2006. He joined the Politburo and served as Prime Minister from 2016 to 2021 and later held the ceremonial position as President of Vietnam. The departure of President is highly unusual in communist Vietnam as only one President has stepped down from his position citing health concerns.

According to Central Party Committee, Phuc was blamed for offences committed by the officials including Deputy Prime Ministers Pham Binh Minh and Vu Duc Dam and three ministers since he was the Prime Minister from 2016 to 2021. According to media reports, the ruling party has reported that around 500 party members were prosecuted or “disciplined” for corruption and “deliberate wrongdoings”, including ministers, top officials and diplomats with many of corruption allegations relating to Vietnam covid response.

According to Vietnamese politics the “four pillars” are the core comprising President, Prime Minister, General Secretary and Chairman of National Assembly. The President holds substantial authority. It is the post of the General Secretary which is considered the most powerful out of the four posts.

The architect of anti-corruption drive is party General Secretary and one of the country’s powerful politician Nguyen Phu Trong whose term is due to expire in 2026. It is highlighted that former President’s resignation is linked to political infighting in a country where every political change is carefully maneuvered to give the impression of political stability in the country. According to Le Hong Heip, a fellow at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, Singapore “It’s mainly related to corruption investigations but we cannot rule out the possibility that his political rivals also wanted to remove him from his position for political reasons.”

The communist country is strengthening its fight against corruption amid the concerns that this anti-corruption drive is bringing crackdown in routine transactions as officials are being brought under scanner. Being an export dependent economy, it is unlikely that overall trajectory will change, provided the emphasis is on encouraging foreign investments and steering diplomatic ties with US and China.

By: Patted Shamanth, GSDN

Venezuela is a prime example of a petrostate. In 1960, Venezuela became a founding member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) joining Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, and Kuwait. In contrast to many other prosperous petroleum states around the globe, Venezuela experienced the greatest economic catastrophe in the world, which progressively diffused into proceeding political crisis.

The current political crisis in Venezuela bygones to 2013 when Mr. Nicolás Maduro won his first election in April 2013 (after the death of Mr. Hugo Chávez) and rose to power. His allegiance to socialist principles (like his predecessor), further exacerbated the existing problems, mainly due to years of inadequate infrastructure investment. Additionally, USA imposed sanctions on Venezuela’s oil sector as a result, the oil prices plunged from more than $100 per barrel in 2014 to under $30 per barrel in early 2016 thus plunging Venezuela into an economic and political spiral.

Unlike prolonged economic catastrophe, the 2018 Presidential elections unambiguously marked the political impasse in the state, in which Mr. Nicolás Maduro emerged victorious to take office for a second six-year term. On the contrary, the opposition accused that the election was rigged and wasn’t free or fair. This compelled the National Assembly, controlled by the opposition, to call Mr. Maduro a “despot” and contended that the Presidency was vacant.

By citing the article 233 of Constitution, Juan Guaidó, the head of the National Assembly, proclaimed himself interim president. However, this was a cyclical event that occurred in 2013 post the death of Mr. Havez, where the Article 233 states the president-elect is absolutely absent before taking office, a new election shall take place, while the president is elected and takes office, the interim president shall be the president of the National Assembly. Juan Guaidó’s move was recognised by 50 countries, including the US and several Latin American countries, where President Maduro was supported by Russia and China, among others. Despite his broad international support, Mr Guaidó does not wield much power in practical terms and that was substantiated by Mr Maduro remaining in the Presidential Palace with the loyal support of armed forces and also a firm grip on the electoral body and the Supreme Court.

Nonetheless, it is President Maduro and his predecessor Hugo Chávez who are the target of much of the current grief. Meanwhile Maduro got an unexpected boost by the turn of events in Ukraine. The minute Russia invaded Ukraine disrupting the gas supply to Europe, Biden administration predicted that there would increase in the demand for oil from Europe and that could lead to higher demand for US oil and thus higher gas prices in America. This opened the channel for a secret visit to Venezuela by senior Biden administration officials, marking the first White House trip to the country in over two decades and lifting some of these sanctions. In an endeavour to take advantage of the situation, the Venezuelan administration has stated its willingness to resume talks with Juan Guaidó as a first step toward relief from US sanctions.

According to Jeffrey Sachs, a professor of economic development at Columbia University, the fundamental goal of government should be to responsibly use oil revenues “to finance expenditures on public goods that serve as the platform for private investment and long-term growth.”

By: Rajlaxmi Deshmukh, GSDN

American President Joe Biden, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau participated in the 10^th edition of the North American Leaders Summit also called as the Three Amigos Meet, hosted by Mexico from 9^th to 10^th January 2023.

It is a trilateral summit held to increase communication and coordination between these nations and address issues of mutual interest. This continental-level dialogue promotes a common vision of North America along with that it ensures inclusive growth and prosperity. The summit also facilitates deepening economic ties, increased investment, innovation, competitiveness, and resilience.

Trade, security, migration, climate change, economic cooperation, and drugs were the main themes of this summit.

During the 10^th North American Summit, the leaders signed a joint statement, Declaration of North America which is based on 6 pillars –

1. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
2. Climate Change and the environment
3. Competitiveness
4. Migration and development
5. Health
6. Regional Security

Based on the first pillar the nations would work together to protect civil rights, promote social justice and protect the LGBTQIA+ community.

These countries would also coordinate towards rapid measures to tackle climate change by reducing methane emissions by 15% by 2030 from 2020 levels, under the USA’s Global Methane pledge. They together would also work for a joint transit decarbonization toolkit. A seamless EV charging experience would be provided to the people by installing EV chargers along international borders. They have also pledged to conserve 30% of the world’s land and oceans by 2030 and develop a clean hydrogen market.

A safe and humane migration would be ensured under the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection and also address the issue of illegal drug trafficking.  

The North American countries would organize 1^st trilateral semiconductor forum, it is a strategically significant industry as it is used in every electrical gadget, this forum would eventually reduce the dependence on Asia for eg- Taiwan, and would also develop a workforce for the semiconductor, ICT, and biomanufacturing industries. 

To deal with the availability and reserves of critical minerals, trilateral geological surveys would be held. For the development of students, a public-private partnership model named the North American Student mobility project would be implemented as well. There would be an increase in humanitarian aid to help people around the globe, taking into consideration the current Russia-Ukraine war or the Haiti crisis.

Along with this summit, bilateral meetings were also arranged which lead to the adoption of the Canada- Mexico Action plan which would deal in areas such as investment, gender equality, indigenous reconciliation, etc.

A renewed roadmap for the US-Canada partnership was put forth which would deal with mutual issues such semiconductor industry, supply chain, and critical mineral reserves.

This trilateral summit also called the Three Amigos Summit showcased a united front despite having tensions on the issues of migration and drug trafficking. Establishing regional security by increasing maritime cooperation, addressing illegal migration, and strengthening border security. The Summit dealt with a wide range of issues and has helped to build mutual trust among these nations which would benefit the region, the nations, and its people.

By: Hitti Chopra, GSDN

As Thailand gears up for its General Election in 2023 with parties switching and merging, the political crisis within Thailand becomes the fundamental factor that determines the country’s foreign relations. Thailand is centrally located in mainland Southeast Asia and established its diplomatic relations with China in 1975 surviving the Cold War with the American departure post-Vietnam War.

Thailand has remained strategically important for China because it serves as a gateway to ASEAN and holds a key position for its economic expansion and political supremacy.

The Belt and Road Initiative by China was introduced to advance “connectivity” between China and its neighbours and with places further afield, primarily through traditional infrastructure like roads and railways, seaports and airports, bridges and tunnels, and pipelines and canals. China “seeks greater synergy between their development strategies and jointly advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation to deliver new results” as stressed by Beijing during talks between President Xi Jinping with Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha held during November 2022 in Bangkok. Thailand has signed both transportation and economic projects with China but they’ve not progressed much. Thai civil society has always projected a split verdict over initiatives standpoint in the kingdom. The Belt and Road Initiative might surge the Thailand’s high and rising trade deficit with China reflecting as to how China has taken over key assets in Laos in debt-equity swap building the scenic railway built on the mountain of Chinese debt.

Thailand is a constitutive part of the global value chain for manufacturing and has around $80 billion trade with China. Beijing aims to strengthen cooperation with Thailand into new fields such as the digital economy with helping the latter in Huawei’s 5G Network. Beijing’s influence can also be witnessed with China Tokamak donation to Thailand for enhancing cooperation in fusion energy research.

In 2014, the military set up a government, led by coup leader Gen Prayuth Chan-o-cha. The non-interference approach of China during 2014 coup resulted in Thai government leaning towards China, with Thailand cooperating on the rendition to China of Hong Kong dissident Gui Minhai in 2015. China has been supplying military related equipment and armaments at “friendship prices” to Thailand. According to South China Morning Post, China military ties with Thailand-a US treaty ally, has replaced the US as the top arms supplier to Thailand’s ruling military junta in recent years, providing it with equipment ranging from VT-4 main battle tanks to a Type 071E amphibious dock ship.

There have been reports that China has shown keen interest in investing in construction of Kra Canal. The construction of Kra Canal also known as Thai canal has been currently scrapped by Thai government. This could’ve been a potential game changer for China, allowing its navy to move freely in South China Sea and Indian Ocean and also putting the end to “Malacca Dilemma”.

Thailand has been the most visited international destination by Chinese travellers in 2019, welcoming around 11 million tourists. The tourism dependent economy was hit hard by Covid pandemic, leading to large scale unemployment has been again welcomed back with “arms wide open”. The return of Chinese tourists’ paves way to boost country’s economy and its tourism sector.

“China and Thailand are like one family” is often mentioned while describing Sino-Thai relations but the growing reliance on Beijing leaves restricted space for Thailand’s foreign policy to manoeuvre. The growing Chinese assertiveness in Southeast Asia has already concerned many ASEAN countries. China’s strategic cooperation with Thailand has the motive of “China’s Rise” which can be challenged by the Quad in the future.