NAY PYI TAW - Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo met here Tuesday with Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on the sidelines of the Fourth Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Summit.

Dai said since diplomatic relations were established 36 years ago, relations between the China and Thailand have been developing steadily and healthily, bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples.

China has attached great importance to developing relations with Thailand, and is willing to make joint efforts with Thailand to promote the strategic partnership between the two countries, he said.

Dai said he hoped the two sides will maintain good momentum in high-level exchanges, intensify strategic talks, map out the direction and priorities for future cooperation, and deepen cooperation in economy and trade, finance, irrigation projects and law enforcement, especially in protecting the security of the Mekong River channel.

He also said he hoped the two countries will continue to coordinate on international and regional issues, promoting the GMS cooperation, China-ASEAN relations and cooperation among the East Asian countries to achieve greater development.

For her part, Yingluck said that Thailand and China enjoy a profound traditional friendship, having always helped and supported each other.

She thanked China for its aid after Thailand was hit by floods. Moreover, Yingluck said her country has attached great importance to developing relations with China, and wants to maintain close bilateral cooperation.

Thailand also wishes to intensify high-level exchanges between the two countries and expand mutually beneficial cooperation in all fields to bring their strategic cooperation to a new level.