Chinese premier makes four-point proposal to upgrade ties with Thailand (2)

Li said rubber is an important commodity in China-Thailand trade, and Beijing would consider importing more rubber from Bangkok as well, adding that the Chinese side would build a special mechanism to boost bilateral cooperation on agricultural trade.

With frequent people-to-people exchanges and closer economic ties between the two countries, China will consider the establishment of RMB clearing banks in Thailand and encourage enterprises of the two countries to settle bilateral trade in their national currencies, according to him.

Li also proposed to strengthen practical cooperation on railway projects and enhance cultural exchanges with Thailand.

He said cooperation on railway projects could become a highlight in China-Thailand cooperation, as China has advanced capacities of building high-speed railways and rich management experience in this area.

It would facilitate logistics and boost economic development for Thailand to promote infrastructure construction such as railways, the Chinese premier said, adding that the two countries have huge potential in cooperation on railway construction.

During his stay in Thailand, Li and his Thai counterpart Yingluck Shinawatra will attend an exhibition on China's high-speed railways, hoping to conduct practical cooperation with Thailand at an earlier date.

Moreover, the two countries would vigorously carry out cooperation on electricity, power grid, and renewable energy, and push forward water conservancy construction projects, the Chinese premier said.

On cultural exchanges, he said China is ready to hold talks with Thailand over visa exemption for regular passport holders.

Thailand is the first country within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to start such talks with China, and the talks will facilitate the people-to-people exchanges of the two countries, Li said.

The Chinese premier called on both sides to give full play to the Confucius Institute and facilitate the establishment of Thailand's cultural centers in China.

China would also help Thailand to improve its professional education by the joint running of schools and short-term training, Li said, adding that both sides would promote practical cooperation in such areas as technology, maritime affairs, and environmental protection.

In the speech, the Chinese premier hailed the achievements in bilateral ties since the two nations established diplomatic relations in 1975, including deepened political mutual trust, strengthened trade ties and closer people-to-people exchanges.

With two-way trade reaching 70 billion U.S. dollars last year, China has become Thailand's largest export market and number one source country of foreign tourists. About 3 million people travel between the two countries last year.

For China, Thailand is a major trade partner in the ASEAN region and a major source country of agricultural imports, as well as the largest source country of rubber imports.