Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu Friday expressed great confidence on more trade exchanges between China and Thailand on the occasion of 30th anniversary of bilateral relations.

"The fast-growth Sino-Thai trade cooperation has turned out to be a strong impetus to bilateral relations," said Hui while attending a China-Thailand investment seminar.

"The Seminar will provide a platform for businessmen of both countries to discuss cooperation," said Hui.

The seminar was held amid a three-day official visit by Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who arrived in Beijing Thursday and is accompanied by some 100 senior business executives in major industries.

The two close neighbors have witnessed comprehensive bilateral realtions and expanding trade cooperation since they forged diplomatic ties 30 years ago, said Hui.

Trade between China and Thailand hit 17.3 billion US dollars in 2004, 700 times the figure of 30 years ago.

The trade cooperation between the two countries has made a great contribution to the Sino-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (FTA), said Hui.

Under the Sino-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement, the FTA between China and Thailand took effect on Oct.1, 2003 slashing tariffs for fruit and vegetable flows between the two countries.

Hui also urged the two countries to explore new cooperative fields and ways of cooperation to lift trade cooperation to a new level.

While addressing the seminar, Thaksin called on more Chinese businessmen to invest in Thailand since the southeast Asian nation has taken concrete measures to draw foreign investment.

"Thailand encourages mutual investment and welcomes more Chinese business to invest," said Thaksin.

Both neighbors are developing countries and share the same task to relieve poverty, said Thaksin, appealing for joint efforts in this regard.

Source: Xinhua