Visiting Chinese State Councilor Luo Gan meets Thai deputy prime minister and interior minister Banyant Bantadan BangkokTuesday.

Both of them agreed that the two countries should enhance cooperation on anti-drug campaigns and other public security issues.

"The Sino-Thai cooperation on fighting illicit drugs has been very close and successful, " said Luo, mentioning that Thailand isthe first country in the Association of Southeast Asia Nations ASEAN) which has signed agreements with China on extradition, judicial cooperation and public security affairs.

Banyant said since both countries face the same problem of illegal drugs, Thailand wishes to strengthen joint anti-drug efforts with China.

During the meeting, on behalf of each government, they signed amemorandum of understanding on enhancing anti-drug cooperation.

Luo, who arrived here early Tuesday to start his five-day formal visit to this kingdom, has also met Phichai Rattakul, president of Thai national assembly.

He will attend an international anti-drug congress kicking off here Wednesday, and made a keynote speech at the meeting.

(Xinhua 10/10/2000)