China, Thailand seek stronger ties as military commander Sonthi visits China

China and Thailand on Monday pledged to boost their military ties as the Thai army commander paid his first visit to China.

"The Chinese army would like to promote friendly relations with the Thai army," Chinese Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan said in a meeting with Thai Army Commander-in-Chief Sonthi Boonyaratkalin Monday afternoon.

Echoing Cao's views, Sonthi said Thailand will make continuous efforts to boost its military ties with China.

This was Sonthi's first visit to China. Sonthi staged a coup d'etat last September and ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Earlier Monday, Chinese Vice President Zeng Qinghong met with Sonthi. They also vowed to promote friendly relations between the two armies and two states.

On Monday, Sonthi also held an hour-long talk with Ge Zhenfeng, deputy chief of the General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA). They reviewed the cooperation between the two armed forces and worked on future China-Thai exchange programs.

Invited by the Chinese PLA General Staff, Sonthi arrived in Beijing on Sunday for a four-day visit.

Source: Xinhua