Chinese president demands stronger Thailand ties

BEIJING, April 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao said here Wednesday China and Thailand will continue to strengthen friendly exchanges at all levels and enhance mutual trust and friendship.

Hu made the remark as he met with visiting Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra in the Great Hall of the People.

He said since the two countries established diplomatic links 37 years ago, China and Thailand have always supported each other despite changes in the international situation and their own domestic conditions.

Noting that bilateral relations have been growing smoothly, the president said the China-Thailand friendship has become the consensus of the leaders of the two countries and the common aspiration of various sections of their society.

Noting that the two countries have agreed to upgrade bilateral links to a comprehensive strategic cooperation partnership during Yingluck's first China visit as prime minister, Hu called for the two sides to seize this opportunity to further advance friendly ties.

The two countries should further expand trade and mutual investment so as to realize the goal of increasing two-way trade to 100 billion U.S. dollars per year ahead of schedule, according to Hu. He urged the two sides to observe the guidance of the newly signed joint action plan of strategic cooperation and the five-year plan of expanding trade and economic cooperation.

He said the two sides should continue to advance cooperation on defense and law enforcement, jointly combat terrorism and cross-border crimes and create a sound environment for the development of their own and other countries in the region.

Hu urged the two countries to increase the scope and depth of cultural and people-to-people exchanges to add new vigor to the China-Thailand friendship.