China and Thailand Monday pledged to promote friendly relations between the two states.

 

"The Chinese government attaches importance to relations with Thailand, and will, as always, enhance bilateral cooperation to help improve regional peace and development," said Vice President Zeng Qinghong when meeting Thai Army Commander-in-Chief Sonthi Boonyaratkalin.

 

Sonthi said the Thai government and military would continue strategic cooperation with China.

 

"Expanding Thai-China friendship is greatly important," he said, and the Thai government hoped to "explore more areas for cooperation between Thailand and China."

 

(Xinhua News Agency January 23, 2007)