BEIJING, June 24 (Xinhua) -- China said Wednesday
that boosting regional trade and investment was a crucial task for countries in
east Asia.
Premier Wen Jiabao also called on countries in east Asia to "deepen financial cooperation and infrastructure construction to increase the ability to confront economic risks."
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Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (1st L) holds a welcoming ceremony for Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva (2nd L) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 24, 2009. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)
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During talks with his Thai counterpart, Abhisit
Vejjajiva, Wen said China would always support the leading role the Association
of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) played in east Asia.
On the Sino-Thai relationship, Wen said it had met
the test, and substantial cooperation had developed, since the two countries
forged diplomatic ties 34 years ago.
"China will work with Thailand to cement the
traditional friendship and strategic cooperation to push forward bilateral
ties," Wen said.
He proposed that the two sides maintain coordination
on bilateral relations and major international issues, implement the agreement
on economic and trade cooperation, and take effective measures to maintain
steady trade development.
China encouraged its entrepreneurs to invest in
Thailand, Wen said, adding that both countries should ensure a proposed highway
from Kunming, China to Bangkok be completed at an early date and promote trade
and logistics in the Mekong River area.
Abhisit said Thailand and China had enjoyed a
long-term friendship and the relationship and cooperation in all areas had
improved.
He noted that amid the financial crisis, Thailand
would expand trade, agricultural, tourism and education cooperation with China.
He said Thailand adhered to the one-China principle
and would like to push forward cooperation between China and ASEAN.
Before the talks, Wen held a ceremony to welcome
Abhisit, who arrived in Beijing Wednesday for a four-day tour.
