Cooperation between Shanghai, Bangkok to be strengthened

BANGKOK, May 12 (TNA) - Cooperation between Shanghai and Bangkok is expected to be further strengthened following an ongoing visit to Thailand this week by Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party of Shanghai Han Zheng. Deputy Government Spokesman Major General Werachon Sukondhapatipak told journalists that Han held talks with Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha at Bangkok's Government House on May 11, focused on long-standing diplomatic relations between China and Thailand, which marked their 40th anniversary in 2015. The deputy spokesman said both sides have pledged to strengthen strategic partnership cooperation in every area possible and to also exchange visits by high-ranking officials in the future. The deputy spokesman stated that the Thai prime minister also praised Shanghai's constructive accomplishment, pointing out that it is similar in several fields implemented by his government in promoting the better life of the Thai people. The deputy spokesman quoted the Thai prime minister as informing the visiting Shanghai's chief of the Chinese Communist Party that his government is strictly following the Sufficiency Economy Principle, advised by His Majesty King Bhumibol Aduyladej, and his administration hopes Thailand could learn more from Shanghai for the benefit of the Thai people. According to the deputy spokesman, the Thai prime minister acknowledged there are now several major Thai firms doing businesses in Shanghai and informed the visiting Shanghai's chief of the Chinese Communist Party that Thailand also welcomes more investors from Shanghai. The visiting Shanghai's chief of the Chinese Communist Party, in turn, expressed his willingness to promote more trade and investment between Shanghai and Thailand under China's One Belt One Road initiative. Besides, the visiting executive of the Chinese Communist Party expressed his wish to also see other Thai provinces have close connectivity with other Chinese provinces. The deputy spokesman revealed that the visiting Shanghai's top executive of the Chinese Communist Party also invited Thai Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, who oversees economic affairs, to visit Shanghai to exchange economic development experiences with the Chinese side. (TNA)