China and Thailand held their first strategic dialogue in the latter’s capital city of Bangkok on August 19, discussing bilateral ties and China- ASEAN relations.

The event was co-chaired by Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin and Sihasak Phuangketkeow, permanent secretary of the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Both sides noted with satisfaction the progress made in high-level visits, trade and investment, tourism, culture and education between the two countries since the adoption of the Joint Action Plan on China-Thailand Strategic Cooperation for the 2012-2016 period.

They agreed to maintain the momentum of cooperation under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation on Sustainable Development and to enhance cooperation in such areas as high speed train, water resource management, green energy as well as education and human resources development.

The two sides vowed to step up efforts to further promote trade and investment in order to achieve the bilateral trade target of 100 billion USD by 2015 set by their leaders. They also pledged to fully implement the MoU on Agricultural Trade Cooperation and expand trade in agricultural products.

At the meeting, China and Thailand welcomed the successful organisation of the High-Level Forum on the 10th Anniversary of China-ASEAN Strategic Partnership in Bangkok on August 2 this year.

The two sides promised to keep communication and cooperation for the Special China-ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Beijing on August 29 in preparation for the 16th China-ASEAN Summit in Brunei this October.-VNA