Thai prime minister visits China to boost ties
( 2001-08-27 16:26 ) (7 )

Thailand's Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra (L) is greeted by Chinese President Jiang Zemin at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on August 27. [Reuters]

Thailand's Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra arrived in Beijing on Monday at the start of a three-day official visit aimed at reinforcing longstanding ties between the two countries.

His trip follows a visit by Chinese Prime Minister Zhu Rongji to Thailand in May.

Thaksin was due to meet with Chinese President Jiang Zemin shortly after his arrival, before attending an official dinner in his honour organised by Premier Zhu.

On Tuesday, Thaksin will be formally welcomed at the Great Hall of the People, before holding talks with Premier and with the Chinese top legislator Li Peng, who is Chairman of the National People's Congress.

It is Thaksin's first visit to China since he assumed office in February.

Thailand maintains close ties with China.

The head of Thailand's government is travelling accompanied by senior cabinet members, including Finance Minister Somkid Jatusripitak and Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai.

During his visit to Bangkok in May, Zhu gave the green light for China's central bank to begin negotiating a currency swap agreement with Thailand, and gave assurances that China would continue to purchases Thai rice and rubber this year.

Beijing has also proposed holding a quadripartite summit, bringing together the four countries of the 'Golden Triangle' (China, Burma, Laos and Thailand), with an aim to discussing the fight against drugs.

The first summit of this kind will be held in Beijing on Tuesday, alongside Thaksin's visit.