PM: Sino-Thai relations will be closer

BANGKOK, December 23 (TNA) - Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said on Friday that he believes Sino-Thai relations will be closer following the ongoing visit to Thailand by Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping, from December 22-24, as a guest of the Thai government. Yingluck hosted a breakfast for the visiting Chinese Vice President at the Shangri-La Hotel in Bangkok at 8.30am, during which she acknowledged that bilateral relations between Bangkok and Beijing will be closer as both countries have signed six new cooperation agreements, aimed to boost the value of mutual trade by 20 per cent annually over the next five years. Besides, according to the Thai premier, China will give educational support to Thailand, especially in the forms of learning instruments, including tablet computers to facilitate the study of Thai students. At 9.20am, the Chinese Vice President visited Rattanakosinsomphot Bowonniwet School in the central Nakhon Pathom Province's Phutthamonton District, where he received a warm welcome from Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit, Justice Minister Police General Pracha Promnog, Education Minister Woravat Auapinyakul and students. The Chinese Vice President also visited Thailand's flood-damaged areas and inspected flood prevention projects, as China has been actively helping Thailand to cope with flooding and is likely to increase its assistance in this field. (TNA)