Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), met in Beijing Friday with Suchon Chaleekrua, speaker of Thailand's Senate.

Jia said bilateral relations have seen a sound development since the two countries forged diplomatic ties 29 years ago. Leaders of the two countries reached important consensus on deepening bilateral strategic cooperation during Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to Thailand last October, which set an orientation for the development of bilateral relations, Jia said.

Deeming Thailand China's good neighbor, friend and partner, Jia said China is pleased with the smooth development of the relations.

The CPPCC has maintained multi-tier friendly cooperation and exchanges with Thai Senate, which, as an important part of bilateral relations, has contributed to increasing mutual understanding and trust and pushing forward bilateral relations in a healthy way, Jia said.

Suchon said that leaders of the two countries have showed much care for the bilateral relations since the establishment of diplomatic ties. The Thai royal members made many visits to China, and Thai Princess Ubolratana has traveled around China in the past years, he said.

His current visit indicates that the relations between the two countries have maintained continuous development, and Thai Senate and the CPPCC have kept sound exchanges, said Suchon.

(Xinhua News Agency May 1, 2004)