China Promises Flood Aid to Thailand

Visiting Chinese top legislator Wu Bangguo announced here Wednesday that China will provide 10- million-yuan in cash aid to flood-hit Thailand. "China decided to offer Thailand a humanitarian emergency aid worth 10 million yuan and stood ready to provide other help,"Wu said in a meeting with Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

At least 181 people in Thailand were killed in nationwide floods that hace stricken the country since Oct. 10. "We are convinced that Thai people, under the leadership of Thai government, would definitely overcome disasters," said Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the country's top legislature.

Abhisit thanked the Chinese government and people for offering generous support to disaster-devastated Thailand.

Wu arrived in Bangkok Wednesday afternoon for an official visit to Thailand as the guest of the President of the National Assembly of Thailand Chai Chidchob. "My visit here is aimed at seeking bolstering friendly China- Thailand relations to a new high," Wu told Abhisit.

Wu appreciated Thai royal family, government and parliament's adherence to the one-China policy and their support for China on issues concerning Taiwan, Tibet and Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.

To consolidate bilateral ties, Wu proposed the two countries maintain high-ranking officials' exchanges of visits and deepen political trust.

On a free trade agreement between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) took effect at the start of this year, Wu said the two countries should make best of the free trade area and expand cooperation in traditional fields of trade, agriculture and tourism.

"Priority should be given to cooperation in infrastructure, new energy, high-technology, particularly in investment, big projects and businesses," Wu said.

(Source: Xinhua)