China, Thailand emphasize bilateral relations

BEIJING, THAILAND, November 10 (TNA) - China and Thailand have stressed on sound bilateral relations in all areas. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and his visiting Thai counterpart General Prayut Chan-ocha emphasized on the sound Thai-Sino relations during their meeting in Beijing on November 9 (local time), vowing that Beijing and Bangkok will further boost bilateral relations comprehensively. Thai Government Spokesman Dr. Yongyuth Maiyalarp quoted the Chinese premier as saying that Thailand and China have had profound and comprehensive relations, expressing his understanding about the situation in Thailand and support for General Prayut's government as well. The Thai prime minister, in turn, thanked his Chinese counterpart and insisted on his intention to further promote the Thai-Sino ties in all dimensions. According to the spokesman, both Chinese and Thai leaders also agreed to promote connectivity between China and Southeast Asia, including Thailand, cooperation on trade and investment, especially that concerning farm products, and ties between Chinese and Thai people. Upon his arrival in Beijing on Sunday to attend this year's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, the Thai prime minister first met Yang Shu, President of Huawei Southeast Asia, to discuss Thailand's promotion on research and development (R&D) projects, calls for foreign investors to employ Thai workers from labour to executive levels and use local materials, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)' roles in supply chains of large companies, privileges for investment projects that meet demands for the Thai public sector and the Thai government's policies on distributing industries to provincial areas. The spokesman said the Huawei Southeast Asia president expressed interest in the development of broadband Internet and information infrastructure projects in Thailand and the use of Thailand as Huawei's business base in Southeast Asia. This year's APEC forums, also dubbed the 2014 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Week, include the Concluding Senior Officials' Meeting from November 5-6, the APEC Ministerial Meeting from November 7-8 and the APEC Summit, the 22nd of its kind, from November 10-11. (TNA)