China offers more help for flood-hit Thailand

BANGKOK, November 14 (TNA) - China has offered more assistance to flood-hit Thailand regarding animal and plant hygienes, also known as sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS), in the wake of the country's ongoing flooding crisis. Wang Wei, Deputy Chinese General Administration for Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) Minister made the offer when he paid a courtesy call on Thai Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Theera Wongsamut in the northern Chiang Mai Province in the Thai North on Monday, during which updated information and further bilateral cooperation on SPS were also raised, as Beijing and Bangkok have signed a bilateral SPS agreement since 2004. Earlier, China sent over 128 high speed and other boats of various sizes and flood-fighting equipment and experts, as well as one million US dollar financial assistance to support flood relief operations in Thailand's flood-stricken areas. The Thai agriculture and cooperatives took the opportunity to extend his appreciation to Beijing for the assistance, on behalf of the Thai government. (TNA)