China, Thailand to deepen brotherhood ties

BANGKOK, July 2 (TNA) - China and Thailand celebrate the 40th anniversary of their diplomatic relations this year, with Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha pledging that his government will continue to cooperate with Beijing closely based on brotherhood ties and mutual trust. The Thai prime minister echoed the stance while delivering a keynote speech at a dinner party in Bangkok on Wednesday night, marking the auspicious Sino-Thai celebration. The Thai premier also commended to the remarkable development of the bilateral Sino-Thai ties, ranging from the royal Thai institution to the private business and tourism sectors, especially after his government took office in late 2014, witnessed by continual high-level exchange visits between both allied countries. The Thai leader recalled his previous trips to China, during which he paid courtesy calls on Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang and reached agreements on bilateral cooperation in various major areas, including the joint development of Thai railway infrastructure projects, as well as two-way agricultural trade and joint financing and banking plans. The Thai prime minister announced that he is scheduled to revisit China in September 2015 to attend a China-ASEAN trade fair in Nanning, expressing his appreciation to strengthened bilateral Sino-Thai trade and investment, which becomes beneficial to mutual development of both allied nations. The Thai leader stressed on his government's determination to foster close bilateral cooperation with China based on brotherhood ties and mutual trust, calling on cooperation from all parties to sustain the sound Sino-Thai relations. Before ending his speech, the Thai leader conveyed his goodwill and warm wishes to the Chinese leaders and people, saying he wants to see long-lasting friendship and mutual support between Beijing and Bangkok. (TNA)