Thailand to become ASEAN, China connector

BANGKOK, July 12 (TNA) - Thailand and China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region have tightened relations, with the Thai Kingdom promoted to play a connector role between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), in which Thailand is a member country. The positive developments showed when Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Governor Cheun Woo led a business delegation from his region to pay a courtesy call on Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bangkok on Thursday. Stressing strong bonds between Thailand and China, Surapong informed the visiting Chinese delegation of Thailand’s readiness to play the connector role between China and ASEAN. The Thai deputy prime minister also discussed a plan on organising the 10th anniversary of partnership celebration between ASEAN and China this year. On the occasion, the visiting Chinese governor also invited the Thai deputy prime minister and foreign minister to attend the China-ASEAN Expo 2013, set to be held in the Nanning, the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region's capital, in September. Meanwhile, two-way trade between Thailand and China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region reaches about 12 billion baht annually and there are now nearly 200 Thai business operators investing in the Chinese autonomous region. (TNA)