Vice-President Hu Meets Thai Prime Minister

Chinese Vice-President Meets Thai Prime Minister

Visiting Chinese Vice-President Hu Jingtao said Wednesday in Bangkok that China and Thailand have always enjoyed sound cooperative relations in the international and regional affairs and have jointly made positive contributions to the regional peace, stability and development.

During a meeting with Thai Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai in the morning, Hu said that the continued healthy and stable development of Sino-Thai relations is based on the five principles of peaceful coexistence, which helps bring about a good momentum of mutual trust, mutual benefit and mutual assistance.

He also attributed the sound development of bilateral ties to the importance the two countries' leaders have long attached to and the firm foundation of the Chinese-Thai friendship, saying that the friendship between the two peoples are like relatives and brothers.

Thanks to the joint efforts by the two governments and peoples, Hu said, the relations between China and Thailand have grown steadily with fruitful cooperation in all fields since the establishment of diplomatic relations 25 years ago.

Chuan Leekpai Welcomes Chinese Vice President

"Sino-Thai relations are very close," said the Chinese Vice-president.

At the turn of the century, Hu said, the bilateral friendly relations based on the five principles of peaceful coexistence are displaying "ever-increasing vitality".

Last year, Chinese President Jiang Zemin paid a successful visit to Thailand, Hu said, adding that in the same year the two countries issued a joint statement on Sino-Thai cooperation for the 21st century which mapped out the blueprint for the development of bilateral and all-directional cooperation in the new century.

Talking about Thai Queen Sirikit's visit to China this fall, Hu said, it will be another event in the history of bilateral relations which will facilitate the furtherance of the friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries.

During the meeting, Chuan welcomed Hu's visit to Thailand which occurs when the two countries are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, noting that the visit will play an important role in promoting bilateral friendly cooperation.

Besides the brotherly relations between the Chinese and Thai peoples, the Thai prime minister said, the two governments have always been making joint efforts in strengthening and promoting bilateral cooperation in the fields of politics, economy and academics.

The constructive and significant achievements of bilateral cooperation have already benefited the two peoples and contributed to the regional peace, stability and security, Chuan said.

He also expressed his gratitude to the Chinese government and people for their careful preparation for Queen Sirikit's visit.

When talking about the Taiwan issue, Hu pointed out the Chinese government never changed its basic policies of peaceful reunification and "One Country, Two Systems".

Chuan reiterated that Thailand will firmly stick to the "One China" principle and will never try to establish any official ties with Taiwan.

After the meeting, Chuan hosted a grand reception party for Hu's visit.

Prior to his meeting with Chuan, Hu met two former Thai prime ministers, Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, also head of opposition New Aspiration Party, and Banharn Silpa-archa, also head of coalition Chart Thai Party.

Both of the former premiers promised that their parties will stick to "One China" policy and expressed support for an early reunification of China.

They also noted that the good-neighborliness and mutually beneficiary cooperation between the two countries conform to the common aspirations of the international community and future development of the international situation.

The Chinese Vice-President arrived here Tuesday evening for a five-day official visit to Thailand.