Thai prime minister seeks China's help to boost economy

Beijing - Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Friday asked Chinese President Hu Jintao to boost bilateral trade and investment as part of Thailand's bid to stimulate its economy.

"Thailand wants to join hands with China to cope with challenges, in particular to strengthen the economy and trade, investment, agriculture, tourism, infrastructure construction and other fields of cooperation," the Chinese Foreign Ministry quoted Abhisit as telling Hu.

 Abhisit thanked China for opposing trade protectionism and supporting the interests of developing nations amid the spreading global financial crisis, the ministry said in an official summary of the talks.

 He welcomed China's continuing support for Thailand and for regional stability and development.

 Thailand also wants to strengthen cooperation between the Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean) and China, Abhisit was quoted as saying.

 Hu praised Abhisit for "maintaining the tradition of Sino-Thai friendship," the ministry said.

 He said Abhisit had "attached great importance to ties with China" and had "reached consensus on a series of major issues" during talks with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Wednesday.

 "I believe your visit will further enhance Sino-Thai good neighbourliness and substantial cooperation," Hu told the Thai leader.

 Abhisit, who is accompanied by a large business delegation, promised to focus on promoting trade and tourism during his four-day visit, which began on Wednesday.

 The two sides signed 18 agreements covering Thai exports of rubber, fruit, rice, jewellery and other goods. Thai media estimated the total value of the agreements at up to 36 billion baht (1.05 billion dollars).

 The Chinese Foreign Ministry issued an earlier statement after Wen's talks with Abhisit, saying the government "encourages and supports Chinese enterprises to invest in Thailand and join in its infrastructure construction."

   Abhisit, who arrived in Beijing Wednesday, also travelled to the nearby port of Tianjin on Thursday and will leave Beijing for the southern province of Guangdong.

 It is his first official visit to China since he took office last December.