The China-Thailand friendship is a friendship between brothers and will be passed on from generation to generation, visiting Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji said here Sunday night.

Speaking at a dinner hosted by the Chinese community in Thailand, he said, "the Chinese Thais and the Chinese nationals in Thailand have not only made important contribution to the economic and social development of Thailand, but also played a positive role in China's modernization drive and its great cause of peaceful reunification. "

"This," he said, "has won high appraisal and appreciation from the Chinese government and people. I hope that in the new century, the Chinese community in Thailand will, as always, work tirelessly for the economic prosperity and social progress of Thailand and for deeper friendship between China and Thailand."

"The Thai government has all along adopted a policy of ethnic equality, which enables the Chinese Thais and Chinese nationals in Thailand to live and work in peace and contentment and coexist in harmony with other ethnic groups in the country," he noted.

Citing the verses "China-Thailand friendship is a friendship between brothers, which will last thousands of years and beyond," which was written by Princess Sirindhorn of Thailand in Chinese in praise of Sino-Thai friendship, Zhu said, "I would like to quote these widely loved verses to express my sincere hope that Sino-Thai friendship will be passed on from generation to generation and flourish forever."

(Xinhua 05/20/2001)