China’s leader Xi Jinping and visiting Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra have vowed to crack down on the scam networks that plague Southeast Asia as the two met in Beijing.

The recent high-profile case of Chinese actor Wang Xing, who went to Thailand for what he thought was an acting job but was abducted and later rescued from a scam centre in Myanmar, has sparked heated discussion in China about cross-border telecom scams.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has pledged to back Thailand’s efforts to suppress online scam operations, as Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra sought Beijing’s help to ease safety concerns of tourists from the mainland.

Thai leader's official visit to China this week marks 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between two countries

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn met with Xi in Beijing after the kingdom cut power and internet to scam hubs around its border.