Roundup: China's top political advisor visits Thailand, further cooperation highlighted

China's top political advisor Yu Zhengsheng on Friday concluded his four-day visit to Thailand, during which the two countries pledged to enhance Sino- Thai cooperation in various areas including infrastructure, trade and law enforcement.

Yu, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, met with Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and President of the Privy Council Prem Tinsulanonda on separate occasions during his stay in Bangkok, and held talks with President of the National Legislative Assembly Pornpetch Wichitcholchai.

In his meeting with Princess Sirindhorn, Yu spoke highly of the significant contribution that the Thai royal family, including the princess, has made to the Sino-Thai friendship.

They both expressed willingness to increase mutual understanding, promote across-the-board cooperation and maintain close contacts between the two countries and peoples.

While meeting with the Thai premier, Yu said that China attaches great importance to Sino-Thai relations, and is ready to make joint effort with Thailand to implement various consensuses reached by leaders of the two countries.

China is willing to partner with Thailand to bring together the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative and Thailand's strategy to develop transportation infrastructures, Yu stressed.

The Belt and Road Initiative, proposed by China in 2013, is a trade and infrastructure network that includes the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road to connect Asia, Europe and Africa.

China expects more fruitful cooperation with Thailand in railway development, trade of agricultural products, trade and finance, while promoting bilateral cooperation in law enforcement and security, deepening exchange in such areas as science and technology, education and tourism, Yu said.

Prayut said Thailand is willing to seek continuous and steady development of Thailand-China ties, and boost bilateral cooperation in economy and trade, infrastructure construction, agriculture, law enforcement, security and culture.

Both Yu and Prayut vowed to make joint efforts to further enhance the strategic partnership between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Yu also paid a visit to a royally-launched project in northern Chiang Mai province, in which China has also participated.

The project, initiated by Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit in 1969, aims at eradicating narcotics and improving the local people's livelihood by cultivating cash crops like fruit and vegetables instead of poppy.

Yu said China will continue to participate in the project and bring benefit to the local people.

While visiting a bilingual school in Chiang Mai, where teaching is conducted in Thai and Chinese, Yu urged students to make their own contribution to China-Thailand friendship in the future. Endi