BANGKOK, Oct 12 –Thailand and China have agreed to strengthen the good bilateral relations and cooperation between both countries.
Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra welcomed her Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang at the Government House on Friday as the Chinese premier was on official visit to Thailand as guest of the Thai government during October 11-13.
Ms Yingluck, then held bilateral talks with Mr Li, discussing ways to enhance the Thailand – China Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership by strengthening close cooperation in all areas of mutual interest.
In a joint press conference after the meeting, Ms Yingluck said China is Thailand’s friendly neighbor and her country agrees on Li’s proposals for further development of bilateral relations, adding that Thailand is ready to take the opportunity of his visit to promote cooperation in all fields and upgrade long-term development of China-Thailand relations.
Thailand has requested to open a Consulate General in Qingdao while China has requested to open a Consulate General in Phuket.
Ms Yingluck said Thailand is ready to work with China to boost cooperation in trade, investment, connectivity, energy, agriculture and people-to-people exchanges, and strive to achieve the target of increasing bilateral trade to US$100 billion by 2015.
Thailand welcomes Chinese participation in the construction of its high-speed railway system, and supports China’s proposal to establish an Asia infrastructure investment bank, she said.
The Thai premier states that Thailand also hails the new ASEAN-China cooperation initiatives proposed by Li, and will make active contributions to developing ASEAN-China relations.
Thailand is the current country coordinator for ASEAN-China relations.
Mr Li said Beijing is also ready to work with Bangkok to implement the Joint Action Plan on China-Thailand Strategic Cooperation and a memorandum of understanding on sustainable development so as to benefit the peoples of both nations.
Regarding cooperation on infrastructure construction, Mr Li said China is willing to actively participate in the construction of high-speed railways in Thailand and promote regional inter-connectivity and people-to-people exchanges.
Both sides will further talk on visa exemptions for regular passport holders and closer cooperation on culture and education so as to promote the friendship between the people of the two countries.
Afte the talks, Ms Yingluck and Mr Li jointly witnessed the signing of several important bilateral agreements.
