China, Thailand confer on military, business cooperation

BANGKOK, February 6 (TNA) - Visiting Chinese State Councilor and Defence Minister General Chang Wanquan and Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan have discussed bilateral military and business cooperation between Beijing and Bangkok. Thai Defence Ministry Spokesman Colonel Kongcheep Tantrawanit told journalists on Friday that discussions between the visiting Chinese state councilor and defence minister and the Thai deputy prime minister and defence minister, held at the Thai Ministry of Defence in Bangkok, include a possible widening of joint Sino-Thai military exercises, aimed at further enhancing bilateral cooperation between China and Thailand, after the two countries have conducted several joint military exercises so far. The spokesman stated that both sides also discussed military cooperation at all levels, while the Thai deputy premier took the opportunity to request China’s support for the Thai government’s attempts to set up special economic zones along the Thai border and invited more Chinese tourists to visit the Thai Kingdom. According to the spokesman, the visiting Chinese authority also pledged that Beijing will consider Thailand's request on buying more Thai agricultural products, including rice and rubber. Besides, the Thai government asked for more cooperation from China on intelligence exchanges, as well as on anti-terrorism, drug and human trafficking and trans-national crime. The spokesman noted that the visiting Chinese authority also expressed China's understanding about Thailand's political situation, as Beijing has followed up the situation, and Beijing's appreciation to the Thai military in successfully taking administrative control, which has helped restore national order, as wished by Thais, while stressing that China respects Thai sovereignty and will not interfere in Thailand's internal affairs. (TNA)