Chinese Vice-President Hu Jintao made the remarks in Beijing Wednesday afternoon at a meeting with visiting Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra who is here on a two-day working visit to China as guest of Premier Zhu Rongji.

Hu said China and Thailand are good neighbors, relatives and brothers, and leaders of the two countries have frequently exchanged visits in recent years.

Both sides enjoy political mutual trust, reciprocal economic assistance, and expanding cooperation in various fields with remarkable achievements, noted Hu.

He stressed that bilateral relations have become a model for countries with different social systems.

China's new leadership will continue to follow existing guidelines and policies, said Hu.

Hu stressed that China will continue to focus on its economic construction and follow an independent foreign policy of peace.

China will still treat neighbors in a friendly manner, take them as partners, consolidate friendship and strengthen regional cooperation, added Hu.

Thaksin, who is on his fifth visit to China, said Chinese leaders have paid great attention to and supported bilateral relations which have maintained a sound momentum.

He noted that the Thai people have a natural good sentiment toward the Chinese people and expect greater progress of bilateral relations.

Thailand appreciates that China's development exerts a major and positive impact on the region and the world at large, stressed Thaksin.

The Thai side was pleased to see China's stable and unwavering foreign policy, noted Thaksin, who expected to work with China's new leadership to make new contributions to bilateral friendship and cooperation, safeguarding regional and world peace, and promoting common development.

(Xinhua News Agency February 20, 2003)