Premier Zhu Calls on King of Thailand

Chinese Premier Meets Thailand King

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Visiting Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji and his wife Lao An had an audience with the King of Thailand Bhumibol Adulyadej and the Queen of Thailand Sirikit in a cordial atmosphere Monday at the royal summer palace in Hua Hin, 280 kilometers south of Bangkok.

Zhu conveyed the greetings of Chinese President Jiang Zemin and his wife to the royal couple.

The Chinese premier told the Thai King that he still had fresh memories about his last meeting with the King when he visited Thailand in 1996 and he was very happy to meet the King again after five years.

Zhu said the belief that "China and Thailand are as close as one family" has already been deeply rooted in the hearts of the peoples of both countries, noting that the China-Thailand friendly relations are in the fundamental interests of the two countries and the two peoples and are beneficial to the peace, stability and prosperity in the region.

The premier said the Chinese side is confident that in the new century, the traditional China-Thailand friendship will further develop and expand and the people of the two countries will be friends for generations.

Zhu appreciated the contribution the Thai King and the Thai royal family have made to the development of the Chinese-Thai friendship, saying the China-Thailand relations could not have been so good but for the importance attached by the Thai King and other members of the royal family.

Last October, he recalled, Queen Sirikit paid a successful visit to China on behalf of the king, beginning a new chapter for the Chinese-Thai friendship.

"We welcome the royal family to visit China from time to time," said Zhu.

King Bhumibol welcomed the Chinese premier to visit Thailand. He said that Zhu's visit has enhanced Thailand-China friendly cooperation, and further strengthened the traditional friendship between the two peoples.

The King also spoke highly of the great achievements made by China in agriculture and many other fields. In particular, he acclaimed the construction of the Three Gorges project, noting that it will not only be beneficial to China but also to the world as a whole.

King Bhumibol also thanked China for the warm reception given to and thoughtful arrangements made for members of the Thai royal family during their visits to China.

He asked Premier Zhu to convey his best wishes to Chinese President Jiang Zemin.

Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was present at the audience, hosted a private dinner afterwards at his resort residence in Hua Hin for Premier Zhu and his wife.

On Monday morning, Zhu Rongji met with Bangkok Governor Samak Sundavadej.