Li urges Thai students to carry on bilateral friendship

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang talks with third-grade pupils who are learning Chinese characters at a Chinese language-teaching school in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Oct. 13, 2013. Li paid a visit to the 110-year-old Chinese language-teaching school in Chiang Mai on Sunday. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang visited a bilingual school in the northern Thai city on Sunday, urging students to carry on the traditional friendship between the two nations.  [Special coverage]

Upon his arrival at Chongfah Sinseung Wanich Bamrung School, where teaching is conducted in Thai and Chinese, students performed a Chinese fan dance and a dragon and lion show.

He read aloud ancient Chinese poems and talked about Chinese proverbs with students, and expressed his hope that they could become the envoys of the China-Thailand friendship.

During his stay, Li also met with Chinese volunteers teaching Chinese in the school, praising their contributions to the development of bilateral relations and urging them to help further consolidate the public foundation for the China-Thailand friendship.

The Chinese premier gave stuffed panda toys to some children as souvenirs and offered the school a batch of books and stationery as gifts.

Also on Sunday, Li visited an exhibition showcasing traditional Thai handicraft. Noting that China and Thailand each have their own specialties, he said the two sides should learn from each other and further expand the space for bilateral trade.

Thailand is the second leg of Li's first Southeast Asia tour as premier, which has taken him to Brunei for an official visit and a series of East Asian leaders' meetings. He flew to Vietnam later Sunday.