Overall, Thailand’s national interests have appeared to be in league with those of China. But at other moment, friction has occurred, although to date none become severe or damaged Thailand’s core national interests and the foundation of its relationship with China. Thailand’s policy of exerting influence over its immediate neighbours was sometime viewed as a deliberate attempt to overcome tense competition from China, which has also been in a similar process of expanding its control over them. For example, Thailand’s contract farming program in Laos was said to be initiated to offset similar between Laos and China. Currently, Laos produces corn, soybeans, and cardamom under contract farming for export to China. Laos itself has been seeking to reduce its dependence on Thailand and reaching out to China, as well as Vietnam, to help rejuvenate its moribund economy.