Chinese President Xi Jinping and Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra met here Sunday, pledging to further bilateral ties and China's relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

China-Thailand ties enjoy a solid foundation, huge development potential and a good prospect, Xi said during talks with Yingluck ahead of the 21st informal economic leaders' meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in the Indonesian resort island of Bali, slated for Monday and Tuesday.

China highly values its friendly relations with Thailand, and considers Thailand a significant cooperative partner in the region, Xi said.

Following the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership forged last year, China-Thailand ties enter a new development stage, said Xi.

The two sides should maintain close exchanges, plan cooperation according to their own development needs, tap new growth points and push forward bilateral relations to a higher level, he said.

Construction of high-speed railway and water conservancy infrastructure are key projects concerning regional connectivity, Thailand's economy and the well-being of the Thai people, and thus should be highlighted among the priorities of cooperation projects, Xi said.

These projects can become symbols of China-Thailand friendship, he noted.

China-Thailand ties have been taking the lead among China's relations with ASEAN nations, setting an example for the region, said Xi.

China expects Thailand to fully play its role as coordinator of China-ASEAN relations, and actively promote mutual trust and cooperation between China and ASEAN, and jointly safeguard prosperity and stability in the region, said the Chinese president.

China supports Thailand's proposal to host the international meeting on the sustainable development in the Lancang-Mekong subregion, Xi said.

Yingluck, for her part, said Thailand hopes to strengthen exchanges with China, expand cooperation in such fields as trade and economy, investment and infrastructure construction, and effectively carry out the high-speed railway and water conservancy projects.

Thailand appreciates China's efforts to maintain reform and opening up and advance toward the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, she said.

China's economic development is very significant to Thailand and ASEAN, said Yingluck.

Thailand agrees with China on its principled proposals on China-ASEAN relations, and stands ready to join hands with China to boost ASEAN-China friendly cooperation and development, and safeguard regional peace and stability, she said.

Thailand supports China's proposal on the creation of an Asia infrastructure investment bank, and is ready to coordinate with China in this regard, said Yingluck. Endi

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