State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan held talks with Thai Deputy Prime Minister Surakiat Sathirathai in Beijing on Monday, for an exchange of view on Sino-Thai relations and the proposed UN reforms.

Tang said China and Thailand have expanded their cooperation in various fields, hoping that the two sides will work jointly to implement the important consensus reached by the prime ministers of the two countries on developing strategic cooperation.

Tang spoke highly of the sound coordination between China and Thailand in international and regional affairs, noting that China is ready to further promote cooperation with Thailand and other member states of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), based on mutual respect, equality and mutual benefits.

China supports the ASEAN to play a leading role in enhancing regional cooperation, he said.

As for the reforms of the UN, Tang said the Outcome Document adopted at the UN Summit reflects the consensus of all parties concerned, and the current task is to translate this consensus into practice.

The UN reform should be made in line with principles of the UN Charter, and should focus on addressing issues in development, he said.

Surakiat said the Thai government attaches importance to its relations with China, and firmly adheres to the one-China policy.

Thailand is willing to continue its efforts to promote strategic cooperation with China, Surakiat said, expressing appreciation for China to play active role in regional cooperation.

On such an important issue as the UN reforms, Thailand is ready to further strengthen cooperation with China and promote the UN to better fulfill the duties and responsibilities shrined in the UN Charter.

(Xinhua News Agency November 22, 2005)