BANGKOK, Feb 6 — Visiting Chinese Defence Minister Gen Chang Wanquan early today discussed a possible widening of a joint military exercise, aimed at boosting bilateral cooperation between China and Thailand, with Deputy Prime Minister/Defence Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwon, according to a Ministry spokesman.
The two countries have conducted several joint military exercises in the past.
The spokesman said the ministers discussed military cooperation at every level while Gen Prawit also asked Gen Chang for China’s support for the Thai government’s attempts to set up a special economic development along the Thai border as well as urging more Chinese tourists to visit the kingdom.
Gen Prawit urged China to buy more Thai agricultural products such as rice and rubber. Gen Chang said that Beijing would consider the request, said the spokesman.
The Thai government asked for more cooperation from China to exchange intelligence, anti-terrorism, drug and human trafficking, and trans-national crime, the spokesman said.
Gen Chang reportedly told Gen Prawit that China understood the political situation in Thailand well as it had constantly followed the situation and also admired the Thai military in successfully taking control, which helped in bringing peace as wished by the Thais.
Gen Chang, according to the spokesman, told his Thai counterpart that China respected Thai sovereignty and would not interfere in its domestic affairs. (MCOT online news)
