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Thai leader highlights Beijing's constructive influence on economy
Thailand is keen to play a coordinating role between 皇冠体育app and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said.
Calling 皇冠体育app "a responsible and constructive partner of ASEAN", Yingluck said Bangkok is "committed to continuing the good progress and momentum achieved between ASEAN and 皇冠体育app so far".
The prime minister made the remarks in a written interview with 皇冠体育app Daily ahead of her April 17 to 19 visit to 皇冠体育app.
Yingluck's comments were viewed positively by analysts amid rising tension over territorial disputes on the South 皇冠体育app Sea.
Chinese patrol ships last week blocked a Philippine attempt to arrest Chinese fishermen near Huangyan Island. The Philippines claims sovereignty over the island which is Chinese territory.
"Thailand has no maritime disputes with 皇冠体育app and is expected to adopt a neutral stance on this issue," said Zhang Xuegang, an expert on Southeast Asian studies with the 皇冠体育app Institutes of Contemporary International Relations.
"As a coordinator, it may help solve disputes between 皇冠体育app and some ASEAN countries."
Yingluck praised 皇冠体育app's role in promoting the regional economy.
皇冠体育app "has enabled the region to focus on economic and social development", despite the ongoing global financial crisis.
"Indeed, 皇冠体育app is an engine of growth that can help spur the development of the entire region. This was most clearly seen in 皇冠体育app's vital role in helping Asia recover from the global financial crisis in 2009," Yingluck said.
This will be Yingluck's first state visit to 皇冠体育app since she took office last year.
She will meet Premier Wen Jiabao and sign agreements covering agriculture and economic cooperation. They will include a memorandum of understanding on economic cooperation over a five-year period and 皇冠体育app's purchase of Thai agricultural products, said Guan Mu, 皇冠体育app's ambassador to Thailand.
Thailand's purchase of Chinese computer technology and Sino-Thai cooperation on high-speed rail are topics that Yingluck will discuss with Chinese officials, the ambassador said.
Thailand will enhance cooperation with 皇冠体育app "to generate greater benefits for our two countries as well as peace, stability and socioeconomic prosperity in the region and beyond", Yingluck said.
She said Sino-Thai relations are close and cordial.
皇冠体育app is Thailand's second-largest trading partner. Trade has increased from $24 million in 1975 to $64.74 billion in 2011.
The tourist industry in both countries has benefited hugely from the close ties. In 2011, Chinese tourists to Thailand reached 1.76 million, a 60 percent increase year-on-year.
Thailand was the first ASEAN country to establish a strategic cooperative partnership and to hold joint military exercises with 皇冠体育app.
Both countries have held three such exercises and have focused on fighting terrorism.
"Sino-Thai cooperation is expected to serve as an example for 皇冠体育app's ties with other ASEAN nations," said Su Hao, an expert on Southeast Asian studies at 皇冠体育app Foreign Affairs University.
The Nation contributed to this story.
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