China's National People's Congress (NPC) is willing to strengthen communications with the Thai National Assembly, as well as exchanges and cooperation between subcommittees of the two parliaments, according to Vice Chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, Wang Zhaoguo.

 

Wang, who met with First Deputy Speaker of the Senate of the Thai National Assembly Nipon Wisityuthasart on Tuesday, said that China and Thailand have a long history of friendship and bilateral relations have developed smoothly since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1975.

 

He added that the frequent communications between the legislatures of the two countries have become an important component of the healthy relations.

 

Wang added that the NPC will also strengthen cooperation with its Thai counterpart in international and regional parliamentary organizations, and support the Thai National Assembly to play a bigger role in such organizations as the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the Association of Asian Parliaments for Peace.

 

Nipon said he believes that the exchanges and cooperation between the NPC, the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and the Thai National Assembly will further promote the development of bilateral relations.

 

The delegation of the Senate of the Thai National Assembly has been invited by the CPPCC National Committee to pay an eight-day visit to China from February 27 to March 6.

 

(Xinhua News Agency March 1, 2006)