On July 11, Chen Wu, Chairman of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region who led a delegation on a visit to Thailand, met with Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinwatra in Bangkok. Yan Ping, chairman of Guangxi Yuchai Machinery Group Co., Ltd., accompanied Chen as a delegation member.

Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinwatra (R) shakes hands with Yan Ping (L)

Chen briefed Yingluck on preparations for the 10th China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO), sincerely inviting her to the exposition. He said this year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the strategic partnership between China and ASEAN as well as the 10th anniversary of China-ASEAN Business & Investment Summit. As the organizer, Guangxi sincerely invites and warmly welcomes the prime minister to the exposition, and will make all-out efforts to coordinate with relevant sides of Thailand during preparations.

Chen said the prime minister attaches great importance to and supports friendly exchanges and cooperation between China and Thailand. She reached consensuses with Chinese leaders on upgrading bilateral relations to an all-round a strategic partnership during her visit in April 2012, which has pointed out the direction for Guangxi to cement friendly cooperation with Thailand. Guangxi and Thailand, similar in languages and customs, had a lot of friendly exchanges in history. Particularly, the two sides' exchanges and cooperation in fields such as economic trade, culture and education have been active. Guangxi will give better play to its role as the Chinese frontier and bridgehead for cooperation with ASEAN, and further cement cooperation with Thailand in fields like economic trade, culture, education and tourism on the existing basis, thus boosting personnel exchanges. It is believed that traditional friendship and pragmatic cooperation between Guangxi and Thailand is certain to make greater progress with the attention and support of both governments.

Yingluck extended warm welcome to the delegation, pledging to attend the 10th CAEXPO. She said Thailand and China have maintained close cooperation in international and regional affairs, leaders of the two nations decided to upgrade bilateral relations to an all-round a strategic partnership last year, signing the 2nd joint action plan for strategic cooperation and the five-year development plan for economic and trade cooperation. Chen's visit to Thailand and the successful hosting of the China-ASEAN (Thailand) Commodity Expo, the Promotional Conference on Guangxi-Thailand Economic and Trade Cooperation and Thailand-Guangxi Cultural Performance will further boost bilateral relations and promote all-round cooperation between Thailand and Guangxi. Thailand attaches great importance to cementing high-level exchange visits, enterprise cooperation and cultural exchanges with China, especially Guangxi, values Guangxi's role in building the great channel of cooperation between ASEAN and China, and hopes that the two sides will further cement communication to deepen and widen cooperation. The Thai government welcomes Guangxi's enterprises to Thailand for investment, will continue propelling Thai enterprises to seek development in Guangxi, and hopes that Guangxi will offer support.

Guangxi delegation poses with Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinwatra for a group photo

On the day, 2013 China-ASEAN (Thailand) Commodity Expo opened in Bangkok, marking the debut of the exposition in Thailand. Chen was present at the exposition and announced its opening. Former Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat was also present. Among other attendees were representatives of Chinese and Thai entrepreneurs and locals from all walks of life. Organized by the People's Government of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and the Ministry of Commerce, Thailand, the exposition brought together Guangxi's 105 famous, time-honored enterprises that have tremendous strength, represent Guangxi's advanced manufacturing level and play the leading role in advantaged industries, to demonstrate Guangxi's latest achievements in new industry development in a concentrated manner. That the Ministry of Commerce, Thailand organized 31 Thai enterprises for the exposition is a major innovation in the exposition mechanism, showing the theme of "co-hosting, sharing and win-win".