Thailand agrees closer military ties with China during visit by top Beijing official
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Thailand and China Friday agreed to forge closer military ties, creating more mechanisms for cooperation on defence and security matters, according to a visiting senior Chinese military officer, Air Chief Marshal Xu Qiliang.
Xu, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Chinese Communist Party, held talks with Thai Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, proposing that the defence ministries of the two countries sign a pact to elevate military cooperation and for exchange of more visits by senior officers.
The two countries should also have mechanisms for military education and training, notably joint exercises between their armed forces, Xu was quoted as saying to Prawit by Defence Ministry spokesman Kongchep Tantrawanich.
The two countries should also jointly develop their defence industries, and China would support the establishment of an Asean military medical centre in Thailand, he said.
Xu arrived in Thailand on Thursday for a five-day visit just two weeks after a visit to China by Prawit, who is also a deputy prime minister. Xu said Chinese President Xi Jinping had assigned him to visit Thailand to build trust and seek closer cooperation.
China praised the junta and is ready to help Thailand to solve its internal problems for sustainable happiness, he said. Beijing hopes all concerned parties in Thailand can solve their problems through dialogue for the permanent stability and security of the country, Xu said.
