China supports Thailand's cross-border high-speed rail system

BANGKOK, August 30 (TNA) - Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul says that China is ready to support the construction of a high-speed rail system, linking China with Thailand through Laos. Surapong on Friday quoted Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi as confirming that Beijing is ready to help finance the development of infrastructures to link China with the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), including the new high-speed rail system linking China with Thailand through Laos, as well as other cross-border connection through roads and flights. Surapong expressed his confidence that the growing Chinese economy will lead to more investment by China, noting that high-speed train routes may be then developed under government-to-government deals. According to the deputy premier, the cross-border new high-speed rail system can also be extended to link with the world's longest Trans-Siberian Railway in Russia. The Thai deputy prime minister made the remarks after Thursday's special meeting of foreign ministers of China and ASEAN in Beijing. The Thai deputy premier acknowledged the Chinese, ASEAN foreign ministers also discussed that railway technologies can be bartered for Thai farm products. Besides, an idea of China and ASEAN's using Chinese yuan, instead of US dollar, for their bilateral business transactions was discussed and the Bank of Thailand (BOT) has coordinated the matter. The Thai deputy premier noted Thursday’s meeting also agreed that China and ASEAN should continue developing their cooperation on trade and investment, while no parties insisted on allowing persistent territorial disputes in the South China Sea to obstruct the cooperation but agreeing that the concerned parties should work out a code of conduct for issues in the South China Sea. The Thai deputy premier anticipated that such the code of conduct should be concluded at the next meeting of ASEAN-Chinese national leaders in Brunei. (TNA)