PM applauds China ties

She said the two nations had agreed to boost trade and investment over the next five years, with a projected annual increase of 20 per cent in trade volume. The number of Chinese tourists to Thailand is also expected to rise by 15 per cent, she added.

The prime minister also said the two countries would boost cooperation in the development of infrastructure, labour and education. She hosted a breakfast reception at Shangri-La Hotel yesterday for visiting Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping.

Later, she accompanied Xi, whose official three-day visit to Thailand ends today, to Rattanakosin Sompot School in Nakhon Pathom province, where the Chinese delegation handed out 100 tablet computers. This school is one of the many in the Central region affected by the flooding. China, meanwhile, has been one of the major donors of flood relief. 

At noon yesterday, Yingluck accompanied Xi to an audience with HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, and in the afternoon the Chinese delegation visited Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulanonda. Xi met with Prem to convey good wishes to His Majesty for his 84th birthday. At the meeting, Xi and Prem agreed that their countries had retained amicable ties and offered help to each other in times of crisis.