On June 21, 2004, Premier Wen Jiabao of the State Council met in Qingdao with Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was here to attend the opening ceremony of the Third Foreign Ministers' Meeting of Asia Cooperation Dialogue.

Wen Jiabao said the fact that Prime Minister Thaksin headed his delegation in person to attend the opening ceremony of the Third Foreign Ministers' Meeting of Asia Cooperation Dialogue in Qingdao not only indicates the importance attached by and support from the Thai government to this meeting, but also embodies the special friendly relations between China and Thailand.

Wen Jiabao highly commented China-Thailand relations. He said that currently bilateral ties are developing very well with the frequent exchanges between leaders of the two countries and the continuously expanded cooperation in economy, trade, culture and education. In international and regional affairs, especially in promoting regional cooperation, the two sides have conducted productive coordination. What is rarer is that in issues involving significant interests of the two countries, the two sides has always sympathized with and supported each other, which shows the sincere friendship of sharing weal and woe. Wen Jiabao expressed his thanks for the understanding and support the Thai government has offered to China on the issues of Taiwan, Tibet and human rights.

Wen Jiabao noted that Thailand is China's close neighbor and deepening China-Thailand friendly cooperation is the firm guiding principle of the Chinese government. During President Hu's visit to Thailand, the leaders of the two countries have reached significant consensus on promoting strategic cooperation between China and Thailand, which pointed out the new orientation for development of bilateral ties. China would like to work with Thailand to actively implement the above-mentioned consensus.

When talking about Asian regional cooperation, Wen Jiabao pointed our that such cooperation have developed rapidly in recent years, which is the need for development of various Asian countries as well as for Asia's self-improvement through unity. In regional cooperation, China and ASEAN have established strategic partnership oriented to peace and prosperity, which both sides should actively enrich. China will support the ASEAN integration process as always and support the ASEAN to continue its leading role in the Asian regional cooperation process.

Finally Wen Jiabao indicated that with striking variety of Asian countries and big differences among various regions, pan-Asia cooperation should start from the practical conditions and be conducted step by step. There are many mechanisms for Asian regional cooperation and we should pay attention to coordination among different mechanisms and ensure overall consideration with priorities as well as pragmatics and efficiency.

Thaksin noted that he was pleased to be invited to the opening ceremony of the Third Foreign Ministers' Meeting of Asia Cooperation Dialogue in Qingdao. He said that Thailand and China are close neighbors, and have been maintaining friendly cooperative relations for a long time. With great pleasure, he declared that Thailand recognizes China's full market economy status. China possesses huge potentials for economic development, therefore Thailand appeals to other countries to acknowledge China's full market economy status at the earliest date possible as Thailand does.

Thaksin indicated that currently there are many urgent issues in the world to be settled, such as energy shortage and poverty, and in particular the poverty issue has become an important factor leading to the world's insecurity. Thailand would like to bring closer its cooperation with China in these areas and supports China to strengthen cooperation with ASEAN and to play a greater role in Asian affairs.

Wen Jiabao highly appreciated Thailand's declaration on recognizing China's full market economy status.

Both prime ministers also exchanged in-depth views on bilateral cooperation and issues of common interest.