Zhang Dejiang (R), chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), meets with Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 23, 2014. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

BEIJING, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) -- Top Chinese legislator Zhang Dejiang on Tuesday met with visiting Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha on seeking stronger bilateral ties.

Zhang, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, called Thailand China's close neighbor and said the two countries enjoy relations of "Jeen Thai Phee Nong Gan"(Chinese and Thais are brothers).

China sincerely expects Thailand to keep stability and seek development and the Thai people to live better lives, Zhang said.

As 2015 marks the 40th anniversary of China-Thailand diplomatic ties, both countries should seize the opportunities, fully implement the agreements reached by leaders, deepen practical cooperation and benefit the two peoples, Zhang said.

On legislative front, Zhang underscored the importance of exchanges and cooperation between the NPC and the Thai National Legislative Assembly.

Zhang called for the two legislatures to maintain exchanges at all levels, increase mutual understanding, create a sound legal environment for pragmatic cooperation and expand the social and public foundation for bilateral friendship so as to boost China-Thailand all-round strategic partnership.

Prayuth reviewed the traditional and solid friendship between the two countries, called on both sides to learn more from each other, implement the cooperation deals and expand the depth and width of cooperation.

Later Tuesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping also met with Prayuth.

Prayuth will conclude his two-day China visit on Tuesday night