Greeting Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, who arrived in Beijing earlier Monday for an 11-day visit, Vice President Zeng Qinghong Monday called China-Thailand ties "a model of good-neighborly cooperation."  

He said China would like to work with Thailand to facilitate their strategic cooperation "score new progress on the 30th anniversary of establishment of Sino-Thai diplomatic ties."

The two nations have always treated each other equally and supported and sympathized with each other, Zeng said. He said he particularly appreciated the contributions made by the princess and the Thai royal family to the Sino-Thai relations.

The princess said she was very pleased to visit China again on the 30th anniversary of the establishment of Sino-Thai diplomatic ties. She said her ongoing visit is aimed at promoting educational, scientific, technological and cultural exchanges and cooperation between the two nations.

She is scheduled to visit the Silk Road and learn about the development of the western parts of China, "so as to do more for the Thailand-China friendship," she said.

The princess thanked China for its assistance to Thailand after it was hit by the devastating tsunami last December.

Later Monday, Gu Xiulian, vice chairwoman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, also met with Sirindhorn, saying the princess' current visit would serve to further the Sino-Thai friendship "that has been deeply rooted in the hearts of the two peoples."

Princess Maha said she aspires to introduce more of China to her people in Thailand and she will make unremitting efforts to promote the understanding and friendship between the two peoples.

Her current visit is her 20th to China. She has not only increased the Chinese people's understanding of Thailand, but also introduced China to the Thai people. Besides Beijing, she will tour the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Gansu Province in northwest China and Sichuan Province in the southwest.

In 2004, the princess was granted the title of "friendship ambassador" in Beijing for her efforts in promoting friendly exchanges between China and Thailand. She has shown a great love for Chinese history and culture and has a very deep friendship with Chinese people.

(Xinhua News Agency April 5, 2005)