Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo met in Beijing on Wednesday with visiting Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, highlighting China's goal of further mutually beneficial cooperation with Thailand.

Dai said that Sirindhorn has made valuable contributions to bilateral relations, noting that the development of China-Thailand relations was the common aspiration of the two peoples.

China and Thailand, as good friends, neighbors and partners, had witnessed healthy and stable development of relations since they established diplomatic ties 33 years ago, Dai said.

Cooperation in areas of mutual interest had brought concrete benefits to both peoples, Dai said.

Sirindhorn expressed her profound feelings for the Chinese people, saying that she was delighted to see China's achievements during her visits.

Sirindhorn wished great success for the Beijing Olympic Games, saying that she will attend the opening ceremony in August.

This is Sirindhorn's 25th visit to China. Besides Beijing, she will also visit northwest China and eastern China's Shandong Province.

On the same day, Dai also met with the governor of the U.S. state of Georgia, Sonny Purdue, who was making his first visit to China at the invitation of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.

The first non-stop flights between Atlanta and Shanghai began last Sunday, operated by Delta Air Lines. Meanwhile, a Beijing-based consulting company for Georgia-based businesses wanting to operate in China has just opened. Dai congratulated the U.S. guest on these two developments.

Purdue said that his visit to China allowed him to see the enthusiasm of the Chinese people for the Olympics. He added that he believes that Beijing would host a successful event.

(Xinhua News Agency April 3, 2008)