China and Thailand on Thursday pledged to enhance bilateral strategic ties of cooperation on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

The agreement was reached between Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and visiting Vice Premier Wu Yi, who led a big Chinese delegation of entrepreneurs to the northern Thai city, Chiang Mai.

Thaksin welcomed Wu for her visit. He said developing strategic relations of cooperation with China is a consistent policy of the Thai government. The Thai government and people appreciated very much the assistance China has provided over the past years and hoped bilateral exchanges at all levels could be enhanced and cooperation in all fields be deepened.

The prime minister said he supports China's policy of peaceful development, adding China's development has helped boost regional and global economic growth. Thailand is willing to join hands with China in pushing forward regional and international cooperation and make contribution to safeguarding world peace and joint development.

Wu said despite the changeable international situation, China-Thailand relation has developed healthily and steadily. With concerned efforts of the two sides, she believed their cooperation could be further explored and expanded.

Wu stressed that economic and trade cooperation with Thailand comprises a major part of building up the over-all strategic relations of cooperation between the two countries. It is also a driving force in promoting development of their bilateral ties.

Wu hoped new advancement could be made in economic and trade cooperation between China and Thailand, which would be beneficial to the two peoples.

Wu arrived in Chiang Mai Wednesday and would leave for Brunei on Friday. On Thursday, she attended a seminar on Sino-Thai economic and investment partnership and the 2nd Thailand-China Joint Committee on Trade, Investment and Economic Cooperation Meeting, at which the two sides made fruitful results and exchanged views on culture, education, drug-combating and law execution.

(Xinhua News Agency September 23, 2005)