Jia meets with Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn in Bangkok/XINHUA
Conveying greetings of Chinese President Hu Jintao and his wife to Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit, Jia spoke highly of the “irreplaceable contribution” made by the royal family to promote the development of China-Thailand relations.
China cherishes the profound friendship with the Thai royal family and was ready to work with Thailand to promote the traditional friendship to a higher level, said Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), China’s top political advisory body.
He said China and Thailand always treat each other with respect and sincerity, give mutual understanding and support on issues concerning each other’s major interests and help each other in case of difficulties. With the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation, the bilateral relationship ” moved to a new step,” Jia said.
Thailand was China’s second largest trading partner among members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Bilateral trade volume in last year reached 64.737 billion U.S. dollars.
The two sides are speeding up their cooperation in areas such as high-speed railway, water conservancy and clean energy, and are trying to increase the bilateral trade volume to 100 billion U.S. dollars by 2015. A Chinese cultural centre is scheduled to built up and put into use this year. The two sides will also hold youth exchange activities this year, according to Jia.
Sirindhorn, as representative of the king, welcomed Jia’s official good-will visit to Thailand. Hailing the two countries’ cooperation in culture and education, she also appreciated China’s assistance to Thailand’s social and economic development.
Sirindhorn vowed to continue to promote the people-to-people friendship between the two countries and make unremitting efforts for it.
Prior to the meeting, Sirindhorn awarded Jia with the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand granted by the king. The order was established in 1869 by King Rama V of the Kingdom of Siam (now Thailand) for Thais, royal family, government employees, and foreign dignitaries for their outstanding services to Thailand.
On Sunday afternoon, Jia also met with representatives from Chinese companies in Thailand, who briefed Jia with their business situation and related experience.
Jia encouraged the Chinese companies to continue to strengthen trade and economic cooperation with the Thai side and to make active efforts for a common development of the two countries.
Bangkok is the second stop of Jia’s official good-will visit to Thailand. He is also scheduled to meet Speaker of the Senate Thiradet Miphian, Speaker of the House of Representatives Somsak Kitasuranont, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, President of Thailand’s Privy Council Prem Tinasulanonda during his stay in Bangkok. Jia will also visit Chiang Mai.
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