Thai Prime Minister to visit China June 24-27

BANGKOK, June 17 (TNA) – Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will visit China on a four-day official visit next week, to boost economic cooperation between the two countries, Panithan Wattanayakorn, deputy secretary-general to the prime minister said on Wednesday.

Dr. Panithan said the prime minister will be accompanied by about 100-strong business delegation including key economic ministers, government officials and business leaders during his visit to Tianjin, Guangzhou and Beijing June  24-27.

The visit will enable Thailand to export more to China, a major Thai trading partner, and simultaneously persuade more Chinese tourists to visit and business interests to invest in the kingdom, he said.
 
During the visit, Mr. Abhisit will hold talks with his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao, call on President Hu Jintao, as well as meeting senior Chinese officials and businessmen, Dr. Panithan said.
 
The prime minister will also deliver a speech aimed encouraging tourism and investment in Thailand, he said.

The two countries are moving to raise bilateral trade to US$50 billion from US$36 billion in the next five years and to increase the number of Chinese tourists visiting Thailand to increase to four million annually, Dr. Panithan said. (TNA)