China, Thailand discuss military cooperation

BANGKOK, April 24 (TNA) - China and Thailand have discussed on the possibility of widening military and security cooperation between the two allied nations. The discussion was held at the Ministry of Defence in Bangkok on Friday morning between General Xu Qiliang, China’s Deputy Chief of Central Military Commission, and Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan. Also presence at the discussion were Thai Deputy Defence Minister and Army Commander-in-Chief General Udomdej Sitabutr, Permanent Secretary for Defence General Sirichai Distakul and several other Thai senior military officers. Both sides also discussed exchange visits of high-ranking military officers to each other country and military training, aimed at further strengthening bilateral relations between Beijing and Bangkok. Prior to the discussion, General Xu was officially welcomed at the Thai Ministry of Defence, during which he inspected the guards of honour of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, together with General Prawit. After the talks, General Prawit led General Xu for a meeting with Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha, who is also Chief of the army-led National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), at the Government House. General Xu is paying a reciprocal visit to Thailand from April 23-27, after General Prawit recently paid an official visit to China at the invitation of the Chinese Defence Ministry, set from April 8-10, during which he held talks with several Chinese senior military officers, including General Xu. (TNA)