China's National People's Congress (NPC) will continue to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with the National Assembly of Thailand, China's top legislator Wu Bangguo said in Beijing Wednesday.  

Wu, chairman of China's NPC Standing Committee, said at a meeting with Thai Senate Speaker Manoonkrit Roopkachorn that China and Thailand were good neighbors, friends and partners and maintained a well-rounded relationship.

The NPC was willing to contribute to the development of the relationship, to which the new Chinese leadership attached great importance, added Wu.

Wu said the NPC was planning legislation in the next five years to establish a socialist legal framework with Chinese characteristics by 2010 in its drive toward the rule of law.

Wu also expressed his appreciation for Thailand's adherence to the one-China policy and support for China on issues such as Tibet and human rights.

Manoonkrit said the Sino-Thai relationship would develop on the basis of their long and friendly history. Thailand believed that a prosperous and strong China was conducive to the peace and development of Asia and the world.

(Xinhua News Agency December 18, 2003)