On December 22, 2011, Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping arrived in Bangkok to start an official visit to Thailand at the invitation of the Thai government.
At about 12: 25 local time, Xi Jinping's chartered plane landed at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport. Chinese Ambassador to Thailand Guan Mu and senior Thai officials boarded the plane to greet Xi. The Chinese Vice President got off the plane, and shook hands and exchanged greetings with Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit, Prime Minister's Office Minister Surawit Khonsomboon and the Ambassador-designate to China who were waiting in front of the ladder. Yongyuth Wichaidit presented a flower garland to Xi. A young woman from the Chinese Embassy in Thailand presented flowers to Xi Jinping.
In a written statement delivered at the airport, Xi said China and Thailand are good neighbors, partners, friends and relatives who enjoy a longstanding friendship. Since the forging of diplomatic ties between China and Thailand 36 years ago, Chinese-Thai relations have continued to develop in a healthy and stable manner under the guidance of the two countries' top leaders and through the concerted efforts of the two peoples, Xi said. The two sides have gradually expanded cooperation in such areas as politics, economy and culture, and maintained close coordination in regional and international issues, Xi said. "It has been proved that the development of China-Thailand ties has brought tangible benefits to the two peoples and made important contributions to the regional peace and development," the Chinese vice president said.
"My visit is aimed at consolidating bilateral good-neighborliness, enhancing strategic mutual trust and advancing pragmatic cooperation," he said. In Thailand, Xi will meet with Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and heads of the Privy Council and National Assembly of Thailand. Xi will also engage broadly with representatives of various sectors and friendly personages in Thailand. Xi said he hoped his current visit will contribute to further promoting the traditional friendship and strategic cooperation between China and Thailand.
Thailand is the second and last stop of Xi's ongoing Asia tour. He just concluded an official visit to Vietnam on the morning of November 22.