Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has begun his official visit to Thailand this morning and will have an audience with His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej later today after meeting with Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

Mr Wen’s tight schedule begins with Ms Yingluck in jointly presiding over the opening ceremony of the Chinese Cultural Centre on Thiamruammitr Road.

The center consists of a theater, an exhibition hall, a library, and classrooms to provide the public with Chinese cultural activities in Thailand, as well as training and information services.

It is designed to promote better understanding of Chinese culture, cultural exchanges, and friendship between the two countries.

Afterward an official welcoming ceremony will be held at Government House before a plenary meeting to discuss enhancing Thai-Chinese relations and cooperation.

Mr Wen and Ms Yingluck will witness the signing of bilateral pacts, including an Agreement on Educational Cooperation and exchanging the Instruments of Ratification of the Treaty on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons.

The two leaders will later hold a joint press conference.

Premier Wen will also pay a courtesy call on Privy Council President Gen Prem Tinsulanonda, Air Chief Marshal Siddhi Savetsila and Gen Surayud Chulanont, Privy Councilors, at the Privy Council Chambers.

Mr Wen will be granted an audience with His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej at Siriraj Hospital at 5pm before returning to China.

The visit by the Chinese premier will further strengthen bilateral relations between Thailand and China and enhance cooperation in all aspects under the framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership between Thailand and China. (MCOT online news)

via Chinese premier begins official visit to Thailand | MCOT.net.

Thailand and China are moving to enrich friendship and cooperation in all areas, as China, in particular, has become one of the most important strategic partners for ASEAN.

The two countries will seek to further strengthen relations through discussions when Mr. Wen Jiabao, the Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, makes an official visit to Thailand on 20-21 November 2012, at the invitation of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

The Chinese Premier will hold talks with Prime Minister Yingluck in a plenary meeting at Santi Maitri Building, Government House, at 10:30 a.m. on 21 November. Then both leaders will witness the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Kingdom of Thailand and the People’s Republic of China.

In the afternoon on the same day, Mr. Wen is scheduled to pays a courtesy call on General Prem Tinsulanonda, President of the Privy Council, and Air Chief Marshal Siddhi Savetsila and General Surayud Chulanont, Privy Councilors, at the Privy Council Chambers. He will be granted an audience with His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej at Siriraj Hospital at 5:00 p.m.

On the occasion of this visit, Mr. Wen, together with Prime Minister Yingluck, will preside over the opening ceremony of the Chinese Cultural Center at 9:00 a.m. on 21 November.

As Thailand is moving toward the ASEAN Community, more and more Thai students are interested in learning ASEAN languages and those of dialogue partners. As for the languages of ASEAN dialogue partners, Chinese comes first among the most popular languages for Thai students, followed by Japanese and Korean, according to the Office of the Basic Education Commission.

Thailand currently serves as the country coordinator of ASEAN-China relations, from July 2012 to July 2015. The Cabinet, during its meeting on 12 November 2012, approved Thailand’s contribution to financial support for the operation of the ASEAN-China Center.

China and ASEAN started their dialogue in 1991. The ASEAN-China Center was officially opened in Beijing in May 2012 to promote ASEAN-China cooperation in trade, investment, tourism, education and culture, with active involvement of the private sector. As the country coordinator of the ASEAN-China relations, Thailand has pledged to work closely with China to promote ASEAN-China strategic relations and realize region-wide benefits.