May 1, 2013, at 0900hrs, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra at the Ivory Room, Thai Khu Fah Building, Government House, on the occasion of his visit to the ASEAN countries. PM’s Secretary General Suranand Vejajiva revealed gist of the meeting as follows:
The Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs thanked PM Yingluck for the letter of condolences on the earthquake incident in Setzuan and the immediate assistance. He also conveyed President Xi Jinping’s and Premier Li Keqiang’s regards to PM Yingluck. The Chinese Foreign Minister commended PM on her administration of the state affairs through the global economic crises and the Great Flood of 2011 that Thai economy was still growing with continuous development and stability.
PM Yingluck expressed her content for the fact that the Chinese Foreign Minister chose to come Thailand on the first leg of his trip. This reflected close relations between the two countries and she believed the visit would further strengthen mutual relations, and promote strategic partnership between ASEAN and China particularly when this year marked the 10th anniversary of Sino-ASEAN strategic partnership. Both parties reaffirmed intent to continue to reinforce cooperation between China and ASEAN in all areas, as well as constant dialogues.
On the issue of the South China Sea, PM Yingluck insisted that Thailand, as the Sino-ASEAN Coordinator, pledged support on the peaceful direction that would enable the dialogue among stakeholders to avoid any impact on the security of the South China Sea. She hoped that the special meeting of Sino-ASEAN Foreign Ministers to be held in Beijing would be a good chance to reinforce Sino-ASEAN strategic relations to enhance regional security and prosperity.
Both parties were also pleased with the continuous growth of Sino-Thai trade and investment. According to PM Yingluck, mutual trade value was expected to reach the goal of 100,000 million US Dollars by the year 2015. As Thailand was now planning on the 2 mega projects, namely, water management project, and 2-trillion Baht infrastructure project, it hoped that China, an expert on high-speed rail system, would provide support and push forward Thai-Lao-Chinese railway project which would consequently and strategically increase trade and investment, as well as international connectivity.
On culture and education, PM Yingluck mentioned that Confucius Institutes and the Chinese Cultural Center in Thailand had played a significant role in promoting Chinese language and exchange of culture between Thailand and China, and hoped that the Chinese Government would support the establishment of a Thai Cultural Center in China as well. PM Yingluck also thanked the Chinese Government to let Lin Ping the Panda stay in Thailand for a certain period of time as a goodwill ambassador, and said that Thai people had remarkably grown fond of Lin Ping. Nevertheless, strict regulation of China with regard to panda matters was well understood.
The Chinese Foreign Minister said he would bring the issues discussed with PM Yingluck today back to Beijing for serious consideration. The Chinese Government was well aware that Linping had been well loved by the Thais and would be pleased to provide special cooperation on this matter. For this, PM Yingluck was requested to assign concerned agency to travel to Beijing for further discussion of cooperation.