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Chen Zhili wraps up visit to Thailand

Updated: 2011-01-09 22:06

(Xinhua)

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BANGKOK -- Chen Zhili, Vice-Chairwoman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), together with the other members of the China's Women Delegation, finished her four-day visit to Thailand and left Bangkok for Morocco Sunday evening.

"The hospitality of its people and government during my stay impressed me very much and I hope my visit shall help to strengthen the bilateral relationship between China and Thailand," Chen told Xinhua on Sunday, saying the visit was "successful and fruitful."

The Southeast Asian country was the first stop for the 15- member women delegation from China, which is scheduled to visit Morocco and Syria in the next couple of days.

On their first day in Bangkok, Chen and the other delegates met with Chai Chidchob, President of the Thai National Assembly and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Prasobsook Boondech, Vice President of the National Assembly and President of the Senate.

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At the two consecutive meetings at Parliament House, the vice chairwoman of China's top legislature said the exchanges between the two countries' legislatures constituted an important part of Sino-Thai relations. She noted that the visit by Wu Bangguo, Chairman of the Standing Committee of NPC, to Thailand in last November, and the Thai Parliament executives' earlier visits to China, had been strong boosts to the exchanges and mutual understanding between the two countries in this area.

Chai and Brasobsook shared Chen's view and said Thai Parliament and the House of Representatives cherished ties with China's National People's Congress and were ready to further bilateral exchanges and cooperation.

The top legislators of Thailand also gave a brief introduction on Thailand's achievements over women's rights protection, as well as the legislation of Anti-Domestic Violence Act in Thailand. Chen, who also chairs the All-China Women's Federation, showed great interest in the Act and said China would use it for reference when drafting its own law in this area.

Further strengthening bilateral cooperation became one of the main topics when Chen and the delegation met with Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva at Government House on Friday. Highly evaluating the Sino-Thai relations, Chen said the two countries were "good neighbors and good pals".

She said the economy of China and Thailand was complementary while the culture and traditions of the two counties were similar, which promised huge potential for cooperation in various fields and levels.

Fully agreeing with Chen, Abhisit showed his appreciation for China's assistance when Thailand had tough times, and hopes the two sides maintain high-level exchanges, enhance political mutual trust, and push forward the cooperation in bilateral trade, investment, education, culture and tourism.

The highlight on Saturday of Chen and the delegation's visit was their meeting with Her Royal Highness Princess Sirindhorn at Chitlada Palace.

Recognizing Chen's contribution to strengthening bilateral relations, boosting Sino-Thai cooperation in education area and promoting Chinese language, the Mae Fah Luang University of Thailand decided to grant Chen the honorary doctorate.

At Chitlada Palace, Chen, wearing red gown of doctor degree, received with high respect the doctorate certificate from the hands of the princess.

During the meeting, Chen said she was grateful to H.R.H. Princess for her continuous efforts in promoting mutual understanding between Chinese and Thais, in pushing forward Chinese language studying among Thai people. Chen also thanked H.R. H. Princess Sirindhorn for what she did in helping China's disaster relief work, for example, the work after the earthquake in Sichuan province in 2008.

Speaking in fluent Chinese, H.R.H. Princess recalled her altogether 31 visits to China in the past, the hospitality of Chinese people that she felt during the visits, and the memorable time when she studied in Peking University.

Sirindtorn said she would do more to strengthen the friendship between Chinese and Thai peoples, and hopes Thailand and China could expand the cooperation in culture and the exchanges among women between the two countries.

Meng Xiaosi and Xu Lili, deputy Chairwomen of the All-China Women's Federation, also attended all the meetings as members of the China's women delegation.

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