China and Thailand on Friday exchanged instruments of ratification of the Treaty between the People's Republic of China and the Kingdom of Thailand on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei and Thai Ambassador to China Jullapong Nonsrichai, on behalf of their home countries, exchanged the instruments of ratification.

The treaty will take effect on Feb. 20.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said China and Thailand have cooperated well in judicial matters, and have so far concluded three treaties on legal cooperation including this one.

The other two are Agreement on Judicial Assistance in Civil and Commercial Matters and Cooperation in Arbitration between China and Thailand, and Treaty between China and Thailand on Extradition.

The establishment of legal assistance between China and Thailand on criminal matters will expand the two countries' cooperation foundation in the legal arena, and will be favorable to combating transnational crimes and safeguarding bilateral trade and personnel exchanges, an official with Chinese Foreign Ministry said.

(Xinhua News Agency January 22, 2005)