Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan met Tuesday with Thai Army Commander-in-Chief Prawit Wongsuwon and exchanged views on promoting relations between the two countries and their armed forces.  

Cao, also vice chairman of the Chinese Central Military Commission and a state councilor, said during the meeting that the growth of Sino-Thai relations is currently in its prime. The two countries have a frequent exchange of high-level visits and fruitful cooperation in the fields of economy, trade and security.

China and Thailand support each other in international and regional affairs, and they also witness constant progress in the strategic cooperation between the two countries, he said.

Cao said the enhancement of cooperation between the two countries and their armies is conducive to the common development of the two countries and for the peace and stability in the region and the world at large.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of forging diplomatic ties between China and Thailand.

"The two sides should grasp this opportunity to further advance the development of bilateral ties in an all-round way," said Cao.

Prawit Wongsuwon said Thailand and China have enjoyed friendly cooperation in various fields.

"With joint efforts of both sides, the friendly cooperation between the two countries and the two armies would get further promoted," he noted.

The Thai senior officer also met earlier with Liang Guanglie, chief of General Staff of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), and held talks with Xiong Guangkai, deputy chief of the PLA General Staff.

(Xinhua News Agency June 15, 2005)