President Jiang Zemin met with Meechai Ruechupan, speaker of the Senate of Thailand in Beijing on November 25. Jiang called Meechai Ruechupan "an old friend of the Chinese people" and said that the speaker has made important contributions to the growth of Sino-Thai friendly relations over the past years.

China and Thailand enjoy a close relationship and no unsolved problems exist between the two countries, Jiang noted.

The president recalled his "successful" state visit to Thailand last September, saying that the efforts made by the Thai royal family in promoting Sino-Thai links have greatly facilitated the smooth development of bilateral ties.

He also expressed the satisfaction over the long-term and close exchange and cooperation between the parliaments of the two countries, which he hoped to be further enhanced.

Meechai said that the peoples of Thailand and China share a brotherly relationship and bilateral ties have registered a sound development since the two countries forged diplomatic relations.

Thai people are "very grateful" for the unselfish aid to Thailand from the Chinese government in overcoming the difficulties caused by the financial crisis, Meechai told Jiang.

He said he appreciated China's progress in its economic and diplomatic fields, stressing the fact that China's development serves the common interests of the people in the region.