Li sees constructive ASEAN ties, thanks Harper for congratulations

China expects Thailand to play a constructive role in pushing forward China's ties with ASEAN countries, Premier Li Keqiang told his Thai counterpart on Tuesday.

Li made the remarks while talking with Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on the phone. The conversation took place on the same day Foreign Minister Wang Yi met high-ranking officials from 10 ASEAN countries in Beijing for an annual meeting with China.

In 2012, Thailand took the seat of coordinator of ASEAN-China relations from Vietnam. The country has said it does not want irrelevant countries to get involved in South China Sea disputes during its three-year term.

Li told Yingluck that China expects to join hands with Thailand, a co-founder of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, to maintain the development of China-ASEAN ties in a constructive way.

It is important for peace, development and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region, Li said.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the China-ASEAN strategic partnership.

Li also said that China and Thailand have family-like relations, and the new Chinese government would like to beef up the traditional friendship, Li said.

Nearly 10 million ethnic Chinese live in Thailand.

Yingluck said Bangkok will continue its friendly policies toward Beijing and is willing to play a positive role in pushing forward China-ASEAN ties.

In another development, Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will visit China from April 6 to 11 at the invitation of the Chinese government, the foreign ministry said.

ASEAN officials Wang Yi met on Tuesday were to attend the 19th China-ASEAN Senior Officials' Consultation.

Vice-Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui and Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Thailand's permanent secretary for foreign affairs, co-chaired the consultation on Tuesday.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei on Monday said the two sides will discuss cooperation in the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area, transportation connectivity, maritime affairs and people-to-people exchanges.

The consultation was launched in 1995 as an important annual political consultation mechanism. It is held in China and ASEAN nations.

Song Qingrun, an ASEAN studies researcher with the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, said Li's discussion with Yingluck and Wang's meeting with ASEAN officials are a testimony to Beijing's sincerity to expand cooperation with ASEAN nations despite territorial disputes with some members.

“Despite the problems, it seems that the Chinese leadership and the Foreign Ministry hold a rather positive state of mind on that. They are trying to push things for the better,” Song said.

Li Keqiang also expressed thanks for the telephone call on Tuesday from his Canadian counterpart Stephen Harper congratulating him on being elected premier.

The two countries are in the Asia-Pacific region and have development potential, Li said, adding that both sides should work for a win-win situation through cooperation, especially in the technology industry.

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