Sino-Thai Relations Enjoy Sound, Steady Development: Jiang 　　The relations between China and Thailand have seen a "sound and steady" development despite the vicissitudes of the international situation, visiting Chinese President Jiang Zemin said at Bangkok Thursday. 　　At the welcoming state banquet hosted by Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Jiang said that since the establishment of diplomatic ties 24 years ago, there have been frequent exchanges of visits by the leaders of the two countries and people-to-people contacts. 　　"Areas for bilateral cooperation have expanded and more and more common ground has been achieved between the two sides on regional and international issues," said Jiang. 　　He mentioned the Joint Statement on the Plan of Action for the 21st Century signed by the two countries earlier this year, saying it outlines the future framework and charts the direction for the development of bilateral relations and cooperation in the new century. 　　"We can say that China and Thailand have already established an all-round partnership of good-neighborliness and mutual trust which can be seen as an example of good-neighborly friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation between countries with different social systems," he said. 　　Jiang said that to further consolidate and develop the friendly relations and cooperation between China and Thailand not only conforms to the fundamental interests of the two countries and the common aspiration of the two peoples, but also conduces to peace, stability and development in the region. 　　He reviewed the long lasting friendship between China and Thailand, which can be traced back to as early as the first century. 　　Through the exchanges over such a long period of time, profound friendship of brotherhood has been established between the two peoples, he said. 　　"The song 'The Chinese and the Thai Are Brothers', which became very popular long ago, is still on everybody's lips to this day," Jiang said. 　　He particularly "admired and appreciated" the support of the king and other members of the royal family for developing Sino-Thai relations. 　　He believed that China and Thailand will have an even more friendly relationship and ever closer cooperation in the 21st century. 　　In his welcoming speech, King Bhumibol said he has followed with interest development in many fields in China. "I have come to realize, with great admiration, that your country has been able to preserve in good order her national integrity and characteristics as well as maintain her condition in every respect," the king said. 　　The stability and prosperity of China will not only result in the benefits and welfare for the country itself but will also be the key factor in the promotion of security for all countries in this region, he said. 　　He believed that under the leadership of President Jiang, China will be led on the path of prosperity and happiness which will contribute significantly to the establishment of security and prosperity in the Asian region. HomeNews 1999-09-03 Page1 Full Story in Chinese