BEIJING - Chinese President Hu Jintao said here Wednesday China and Thailand will continue to strengthen friendly exchanges at all levels and enhance mutual trust and friendship.

Chinese President Hu Jintao shakes hands with Thailand's Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing April 18, 2012.[Photo/Xinhua]

Hu made the remark as he met with visiting Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra in the Great Hall of the People.

He said since the two countries established diplomatic links 37 years ago, China and Thailand have always supported each other despite changes in the international situation and their own domestic conditions.

Noting that bilateral relations have been growing smoothly, the president said the China-Thailand friendship has become the consensus of the leaders of the two countries and the common aspiration of various sections of their society.

Noting that the two countries have agreed to upgrade bilateral links to a comprehensive strategic cooperation partnership during Yingluck's first China visit as prime minister, Hu called for the two sides to seize this opportunity to further advance friendly ties.

The two countries should further expand trade and mutual investment so as to realize the goal of increasing two-way trade to 100 billion U.S. dollars per year ahead of schedule, according to Hu. He urged the two sides to observe the guidance of the newly signed joint action plan of strategic cooperation and the five-year plan of expanding trade and economic cooperation.

He said the two sides should continue to advance cooperation on defense and law enforcement, jointly combat terrorism and cross-border crimes and create a sound environment for the development of their own and other countries in the region.

Hu urged the two countries to increase the scope and depth of cultural and people-to-people exchanges to add new vigor to the China-Thailand friendship.

The two sides should strengthen cooperation on regional and international affairs and join forces to promote world peace and development, in Hu's view.

He expressed readiness to further deepen mutually beneficial cooperation between China and the Association of Southeast Asia Countries (ASEAN), explaining China is ready to push for new progress in the area.

Yingluck said China has offered invaluable support to Thailand over time. China was the first country to offer aid to Thailand after it was devastated by severe floods last year, according to the Thai prime minister.

Yingluck said she has reached consensus with Chinese leaders on lifting the level of bilateral relations. The signing of the second joint action plan of strategic cooperation has set a clear guideline for future bilateral cooperation.

Thailand is to actively work for continuous growth in its partnership with China, Yingluck said. She expressed readiness to further advance exchanges between the leaders and political parties of the two countries, expand cooperation in trade, investment, environmental protection and energy and increase exchanges in tourism, education and culture.

Yingluck said Thailand values the role that China plays in Asia. She expressed readiness to make even greater contribution to advancing ASEAN-China links in a bid to promote regional peace, stability and development.

Yingluck is in Beijing for a three-day official visit to China. During her stay in the nation's capital, she held talks with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and met with top legislator Wu Bangguo and Vice-President Xi Jinping. She also attended a lunch for company representatives from China and Thailand on Wednesday.