On September 4, 2002, Premier Zhu Rongji met with Thai Princess Chulabhorn Mahidol. Thai foreign minister Surakiart was present.

Zhu said he is happy to meet with Princess Mahidol in South Africa. He recalled he paid an official and friendly visit to Thailand last year at invitation and was received by Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej. He said that the friendship and hospitality of the Thai royal family, Thai government and personalities of various circles left him a good impression.

Zhu said that in the long run, Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej and his royal family have thrown much zeal into the friendship between China and Thailand, playing an irreplaceable role in furthering the healthy development of the bilateral friendly relations. He also mentioned that Princess Mahidol devoted herself to learning "zheng," a Chinese zither with 25 strings, which has become a much-told tale in both countries. Zhu said that recently Princess Chulabhorn has led a delegation to China. She hosted the performances entitled "Two lands, One heart" together with the Chinese side, and registered satisfactory successes. Zhu called it a major event in the history of friendly exchanges between China and Thailand. He appreciated Princess Chulabhorn's efforts to promote the cultural exchanges and the friendship between China and Thailand.

For her part, Princess Chulabhorn said that China occupies a unique position in her heart. She said that whenever she visits China, she feels China and Thailand are just like a family. She thanked China's arrangement for her to learn to play zheng, saying that China's culture, especially the ancient music fascinates her.

Surakiart thanked the Chinese side for the warm and considerate arrangement for the princess' performances and accorded it an important part of the cultural diplomacy between the two countries.

Zhu asked Surakiart to convey his cordial greetings to Thai Prime Minister Thaksin.