Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji arrived here Saturday afternoon for four-day official visit to Thailand, aiming at further promoting traditional friendly relations and cooperation between China and Thailand which share longtime friendship and good neighborliness.

It is the first time for Zhu to officially visit Thailand as the Chinese Premier.

Zhu received a warm welcome from Thai Deputy Prime Minister Pongpol Adireksarn and Minister of the Prime Minister's Office Somsak Thepsuthin. Pongpol and his wife presented traditional Thai flower-bangles to Zhu and his wife Lao An as a sign of best wishes.

Chinese Ambassador to Thailand Yan Ting-ai, working staff of the Chinese Embassy to Thailand, as well as representatives of Chinese students, Chinese businessmen and Thai Chinese also greeted Zhu at the airport.

In a written speech distributed at the airport, Zhu said, " China and Thailand are friendly neighbors and the traditional kinship and friendship between our two peoples date back to ancient times. During the 26 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, thanks to the concerted efforts of both sides, the friendly relations and cooperation between our two countries have witnessed a smooth development and scored great success."

"I am convinced that, with close cooperation and unremitting efforts of both sides, the China-Thailand relations of good neighborliness, mutual trust and all-around cooperation will grow in strength in the new century, which is not only beneficial to the two peoples, but also conducive to regional peace and development," Zhu said.

The Chinese Premier said during his visit, he will meet with Thai leaders and personages from all walks of life of Thailand and exchange views with them on further deepening and expanding the mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, and he is confident that this visit will be a complete success.

"I sincerely wish the Kingdom of Thailand prosperity and its people well-being, and may the friendship between China and Thailand last forever!" he said.

Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is due to hold a grand ceremony at the Government House later Saturday to welcome Zhu and his entourage.

Thailand is the last leg of Zhu's five-nation tour to South and Southeast Asia. He has visited Pakistan, Nepal, the Maldives and Sri Lanka since May 11. He will return to China on May 22.

(Xinhua 05/19/2001)