China, Thailand celebrate 40 years of diplomatic ties

BANGKOK, July 1 -- China and Thailand celebrated the 40th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations here on Wednesday, acknowledging their fruitful cooperation and bright prospects ahead.

Over the past four decades, the two countries have witnessed continuous deepening of friendship and tremendous achievements in bilateral cooperation, Chinese ambassador to Thailand Ning Fukui said at the celebration.

The bilateral trade volume soared to 72.6 billion U.S. dollars in 2014 from 25 million dollars in 1975, Ning said, stressing that China has become Thailand's largest trading partner, largest source of imports as well as the largest export market.

Meanwhile, China is also Thailand's largest source of overseas tourists and students, Ning said, adding in recent years, substantial progress has been made in the bilateral cooperation in railway development and trade of agricultural products.

The Chinese side is willing to join hands with Thailand to maintain the momentum of exchanges of high-level visits, carry forward mutually-beneficial cooperation, and further tap the potential in such fields as investment and high-tech cooperation, he stated.

The ambassador also underscored China's willingness to strengthen coordination and collaboration with Thailand in major regional and international affairs, jointly implement the China- proposed initiative of building the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road, and contribute to the stability and prosperity in Asia.

At the celebration, Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha also spoke highly of headways made in the across-the-board cooperation between China and Thailand over the past 40 years.

In his speech, Prayut said that since he took office as the Thai premier, he had visited China twice and reached consensuses with China regarding issues like railway cooperation and trade of agricultural products.

In addition, the premier said he believed the bilateral relations would be further developed in the future and yield fruitful results in various fields.

The celebration was also attended by a number of Thai dignitaries, including Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Tanasak Patimapragorn, Transport Minister Prajin Juntong, Privy Councilor Atthaniti Disatha-amnarj and former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat.