China to promote co-op with SE Asia, Arab countries

Vice Premier Li Keqiang on Tuesday said China is ready to work with Thailand to boost bilateral cooperation and relations between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Thailand is an important country in Southeast Asia and plays an active role in regional affairs, Li said as he met with Thai Deputy Prime Minister Chumpol Silapa-archa in Yinchuan, capital of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

China regards Thailand as one of the region's most trusted partners, Li said, noting that the country is willing to work with Thailand to maintain high-level exchanges, deepen economic and trade cooperation and expand people-to-people communication to promote bilateral comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

Sino-Thai relations can play a leading role in China-ASEAN relations through the strengthening of cooperation, according to Li.

Li expounded the Chinese government's stance over the Diaoyu Islands, and Chumpol Silapa-archa said he understands China's stance.

The vice premier also met with guests from the Arab countries. China-Arab relations have ushered in new opportunities and China is ready to push forward bilateral strategic cooperative relationship to benefit the peoples, he said.

In recent years, China-Arab exchanges and cooperation in economy, trade, culture, education and other fields have made progress as the two sides have a long history of friendship, according to Li.

The guests were in Yinchuan to attend the China (Ningxia) International Investment and Trade Fair and the 3rd China-Arab States Economic and Trade Forum.