Sino-Thai relations strengthened

BANGKOK, December 18 (TNA) - Visiting Chinese State Councillor H.E. Wang Yong has met Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha to discuss bilateral cooperation, mutual benefits, positive relations, tourism promotion and concrete solutions to trade and investment barriers, reflecting longstanding and sound relations between Beijing and Bangkok. Thai Deputy Government Spokesman Major General Werachon Sukondhapatipak told journalists that Prime Minister General Prayut met the visiting Chinese State Councillor at Bangkok's Government House on December 17. The deputy spokesman said that the Thai prime minister welcomed the Chinese State Councillor to the 4th Meeting of the Joint Committee on Trade, Investment and Economic Cooperation between China and Thailand (JC). The deputy spokesman stated that both sides confirmed sound bilateral ties between Beijing and Bangkok and hailed the 40th anniversary of the Sino-Thai diplomatic relations, while also acknowledging various areas of successful cooperation, including those in economic, trade, investment, cultural and public health spheres. Besides, both sides acknowledged close collaboration on the joint celebrations of the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two allied countries and continual exchange of high-level visits. On the occasion, the prime minister asked China to help promote Thai tourism and culture, set up mechanisms to seriously solve trade and investment problems and quickly implement their memorandum of understanding (MOU) on cooperation on farm products. According to the deputy spokesman, the Thai prime minister also expressed his hope that the value of bilateral trade between China and Thailand would double and the number of Chinese visitors to the Thai Kingdom would reach 10 million next year. In response, the visiting Chinese State Councillor noted that bilateral trade value amounted to 60 billion US dollars during the first 10 months of this year and it should reach 70 billion US dollars by the end of this year. The deputy spokesman revealed that the Thai prime minister also confirmed Thailand's determination to implement a Sino-Thai railway project for mutual benefits and expressed his hope that both countries could settle issues concerning the project soon. (TNA)