Bangkok--Apr 17--MFA
On 15 April 2008, Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama, who was on the second day of his visit to the People’s Republic of China, met with Mr. Yang Jiechi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of China. Both sides exchanged views on ways and means to deepen and broaden the cordial relationship between the two countries. The Thai Foreign Minster thanked his Chinese counterpart for the warm welcome that the Chinese government had extended to HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s visit to China from 2 to 9 April 2008.
Both sides discussed the preparation for the official visit of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej to China from 15 to 17 May 2008. Foreign Minister Noppadon stated that important issues during the said visit would include the signing of Memorandum of Understanding on Education and enhancing cooperation in several areas i.e. transportation linkages and military cooperation.
Both sides were committed to the Joint action Plan between Thailand-China which laid groundwork for 15 areas of cooperation during 2007-2011. They reaffirmed their intention that, by the year 2010, the amounts of two-way trade and investment between the two countries should increase to 50,000 million US dollars and 6,500 million US dollars, while the number of tourists should reach 4 million persons.
The Chinese Foreign Minister expressed his appreciation to Thailand’s role in ASEAN. As the Thailand would assume the ASEAN Chairmanship this coming July, Foreign Minister Noppadon said that the Kingdom would encourage the civil societies of ASEAN member countries to participate in the association’s work, so that ASEAN would be even more “people-centred.” The Chinese Foreign Minister was convinced that Thailand could play an important role in strengthening ASEAN. As for Myanmar issue, Thailand was of the view that China could play more active role in encouraging Myanmar to implement the Roadmap towards democratization.
Both sides attached the significance of the cultural cooperation as a mean to enhance the people-to-people relationship. The Chinese side thanked Thailand for its support for the founding of the Chinese Cultural Centre in Thailand, while Foreign Minister Noppadon proposed that either Thai Cultural Centre or a Thai Temple be founded in China.
The Thai Foreign Minister reaffirmed Thailand’s position to support “One China Policy” as one of the country’s main policies, regardless of the government. He also confirmed Thailand’s view on the Tibetan issue as China’s domestic affairs and the Kingdom would use appropriate measures to guarantee that the Olympic Torch Relay to be taken place in Bangkok from 18 to 20 April could proceed smoothly. The Thai Foreign Minister took this opportunity to invite his Chinese counterpart to visit Thailand.
Earlier in the morning, Mr. Wang Jiarui, Minister of the International Department, Central Committee of CPC, hosted a working breakfast in honour of the Thai Foreign Minister. Both sides shared the views to strengthen the relationship and cooperation between the political parties of the two countries.
Prime Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Press Division, Department of Information Tel.(02) 643-5170
Fax. (02) 643-5169 E-mail : div0704@mfa.go.th End.
-PM-
On 15 April 2008, Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama, who was on the second day of his visit to the People’s Republic of China, met with Mr. Yang Jiechi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of China. Both sides exchanged views on ways and means to deepen and broaden the cordial relationship between the two countries. The Thai Foreign Minster thanked his Chinese counterpart for the warm welcome that the Chinese government had extended to HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s visit to China from 2 to 9 April 2008.
Both sides discussed the preparation for the official visit of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej to China from 15 to 17 May 2008. Foreign Minister Noppadon stated that important issues during the said visit would include the signing of Memorandum of Understanding on Education and enhancing cooperation in several areas i.e. transportation linkages and military cooperation.
Both sides were committed to the Joint action Plan between Thailand-China which laid groundwork for 15 areas of cooperation during 2007-2011. They reaffirmed their intention that, by the year 2010, the amounts of two-way trade and investment between the two countries should increase to 50,000 million US dollars and 6,500 million US dollars, while the number of tourists should reach 4 million persons.
The Chinese Foreign Minister expressed his appreciation to Thailand’s role in ASEAN. As the Thailand would assume the ASEAN Chairmanship this coming July, Foreign Minister Noppadon said that the Kingdom would encourage the civil societies of ASEAN member countries to participate in the association’s work, so that ASEAN would be even more “people-centred.” The Chinese Foreign Minister was convinced that Thailand could play an important role in strengthening ASEAN. As for Myanmar issue, Thailand was of the view that China could play more active role in encouraging Myanmar to implement the Roadmap towards democratization.
Both sides attached the significance of the cultural cooperation as a mean to enhance the people-to-people relationship. The Chinese side thanked Thailand for its support for the founding of the Chinese Cultural Centre in Thailand, while Foreign Minister Noppadon proposed that either Thai Cultural Centre or a Thai Temple be founded in China.
The Thai Foreign Minister reaffirmed Thailand’s position to support “One China Policy” as one of the country’s main policies, regardless of the government. He also confirmed Thailand’s view on the Tibetan issue as China’s domestic affairs and the Kingdom would use appropriate measures to guarantee that the Olympic Torch Relay to be taken place in Bangkok from 18 to 20 April could proceed smoothly. The Thai Foreign Minister took this opportunity to invite his Chinese counterpart to visit Thailand.
Earlier in the morning, Mr. Wang Jiarui, Minister of the International Department, Central Committee of CPC, hosted a working breakfast in honour of the Thai Foreign Minister. Both sides shared the views to strengthen the relationship and cooperation between the political parties of the two countries.
Prime Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Press Division, Department of Information Tel.(02) 643-5170
Fax. (02) 643-5169 E-mail : div0704@mfa.go.th End.
-PM-