BANGKOK, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- China and Thailand on Thursday underlined their commitment to deepen parliamentary ties.
The pledge was made during the meeting between top Chinese legislator Wu Bangguo and Thai Senate Speaker Prasopsuk Boondej on Thursday.
Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), the country's top legislature, said the NPC would like to seek closer ties with the Thai Senate in all fields, step up experience sharing on democracy, legal system, legislation and supervision, and keep consultation and cooperation in international parliamentary organizations.
Prasopsuk Boondej said the Thai Senate had looked forward to Wu' s visit, saying the visit would strengthen the relations between the Thai Senate and the NPC and increase exchange of visits between legislators.
On broader China-Thailand relations, Wu said bilateral relations maintained a sound and steady development since the two countries forged diplomatic ties in 1975, citing soaring trade, growing investment and expanded areas of cooperation.
Wu said China was satisfied with bilateral ties, pledging to work with Thailand to deepen political trust, increase trade and economic cooperation, expand people-to-people exchanges and increase cooperation in international affairs.
Wu arrived in Bangkok on Wednesday afternoon for an official visit to Thailand as guest of the President of the National Assembly of Thailand Chai Chidchob.
Earlier Thursday, Wu and Chai Chidchob attended a ground- breaking ceremony for a China cultural center in Bangkok, which will be completed by 2012.
In his address at the ceremony, Wu said the cultural center would be a new platform for the Thai people to understand the Chinese culture and deepen friendship between the two peoples.
Chai Chidchob said the ground-breaking ceremony, part of events celebrating the 35th anniversary of China-Thailand diplomatic ties, would satisfy the Thai people's aspiration, particularly the young people's aspiration to get a better understanding of China and learn the Chinese culture.
During his visit to Thailand, Wu announced China would provide 10-million-yuan cash aid to flood-hit Thailand and stood ready to offer other help.
Thailand is the last leg of Wu's three-nation Southeast Asia visit, which had taken him to Cambodia and Indonesia.