Wen, Thai premiers have phone conversation on ASEAN summits

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-04-11 20:55

PATTAYA -- Visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Saturday had a telephone conversation with his Thai counterpart Abhisit Vejjajiva at the request of the Thai government.

Abhisit said the Thai government decided to postpone the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) related summits scheduled for April 11 and 12 in view of Thailand's domestic situation, and will resume the summits at proper time in the future.

The Thai prime minister also extended to China his government's profound apology.

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China is holding the rotating presidency among the three countries which also include Japan and South Korea. On behalf of the three countries, Premier Wen said they understand the Thai government's decision and hoped Thailand will maintain political stability, social harmony and economic growth.

He said the three countries will take an active part in the summits once they resume in due time.

Wen said China attaches great importance to its relations with the ASEAN, and will, as always, strive to strengthen its friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation with the ASEAN and support its integration process.

At present, the top priority in the China-ASEAN cooperation is to jointly tackle the challenges of the financial crisis, maintain steady and relatively fast economic growth, and overcome the current difficulties with common efforts, Wen added.

He said China's policies and measures on furthering bilateral exchanges and cooperation in various fields, helping the ASEAN states overcome difficulties and promoting regional cooperation remain unchanged.

Thanking Wen for his remarks, Abhisit reiterated Thailand and the ASEAN's willingness to further promote the friendly cooperation between the ASEAN and the three countries of China, Japan and South Korea.