China strengthens ties with Thailand
By Qin Jize (China Daily)
Updated: 2005-07-02 00:42

Premier Wen Jiabao presented Thaksin Shinawatra, Thailand's visiting prime minister, with DNA identification results from Thai tsunami victims, a move Beijing hopes will further improve bilateral relations to commemorate the 30th anniversary of official diplomatic relations between the two nations.

Premier Wen Jiabao (R) and Thailand's Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra listen to the countries' national anthems during a welcoming ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing July 1, 2005. [Reuters]

During a meeting on Friday in Beijing, the leaders witnessed the signing of a series of biological, environmental, financial and quarantine agreements, as Thailand makes plans to open a consulate in northwestern Shaanxi Province's capital, Xi'an.

Wen noted that Thaksin's visit, his first since taking office in March for a second term, demonstrated Thailand's commitment to improving bilateral relations.

Four aspects

The premier explained that the future development of Sino-Thai relations will focus primarily on four aspects: dialogue on international and regional issues to enhance strategic relations, exploration into new energy sources to strengthen trade co-operation, promotion of security co-operation and cross-cultural communication, and implementation of action plans for strategic partnerships between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

More co-operation called

Thaksin showed his appreciation for China's efforts to aid tsunami victims, calling for a more dynamic co-operative relationship, encouraging Chinese enterprises to expand business ventures in Thailand, with hopes that Thai businesses will find trade opportunities in southern China's Pan-Pearl River Delta region.

Thaksin also looks forward to more Chinese tourists in Thailand, welcoming plans for a Chinese cultural centre there.

GMS summit

Both sides expressed their desire to co-operate with participants in next week's second summit meeting of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), to achieve practical results in trade co-operation.

Wen and Thaksin, alongside leaders from Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Viet Nam will take part in the summit meeting, taking place in China's southwestern city of Kunming.

After the meeting with the Chinese premier, Thaksin flew to Guangzhou, capital of South China's Guangdong Province, later on Friday. The province is ancestral home of many Thai-Chinese, including the Thai Prime Minister Thaksin himself.

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