China, Thailand convene first strategic dialogue

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin (L) meets with Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Phongthep Thepkanjana at the Government House in Bangkok, Thailand, Aug. 19, 2013. (Xinhua/Rachen Sageamsak)

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin held talks with Thai officials on bilateral ties and China- ASEAN relations in the First China-Thailand Strategic Dialogue held in Bangkok on Monday.

In the meeting co-chaired by Liu and Sihasak Phuangketkeow, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, both sides noted with satisfaction the progress made in high-level visits, trade and investment, tourism, culture and education between the two countries since the adoption of the Joint Action Plan on China-Thailand Strategic Cooperation (2012-2016).

They agreed to maintain the momentum of cooperation under the MOU on Cooperation on Sustainable Development and to enhance cooperation in such areas as high speed train, water resources management, green energy as well as education and human resource development.

The two sides vowed to step up efforts to further promote trade and investment in order to achieve the bilateral trade target of 100 billion U.S. dollars by 2015 set by the leaders of the two countries, prompting an early convening of the 3rd Meeting of the Joint Commission on Trade, Investment and Economic Cooperation.

They also pledged to fully implement the MOU on Agricultural Trade Cooperation and expand trade in agricultural products. They shared the view that RMB should play a greater role in the business transactions between China and Thailand.

Recognizing the decade-long China-ASEAN Strategic Partnership as a pillar of regional peace, stability and prosperity, both sides welcomed the successful convening of High-Level Forum on 10th Anniversary of China-ASEAN Strategic Partnership on Aug. 2, 2013 in Bangkok.

The two sides promised to keep communication and cooperation for the Special China-ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Beijing slated for August 29 and prepare for the 16th China-ASEAN Summit in October in Brunei.

Both sides looked forward to the convening of the upcoming 6th China-ASEAN Senior Officials' Meeting and the 9th Joint Working Group Meeting on the Implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) in China in mid- September. They also agreed that the 2nd China-Thailand Strategic Dialogue will be held at a mutually convenient date in China.