China, Thailand to work closer on high-speed rail

BEIJING - China and Thailand have agreed to beef up cooperation in the land and water transportation sectors, according to a joint statement issued by the two governments on Thursday following Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's first official China visit.

The two countries also signed an agreement on facilitating railway cooperation during her visit, particularly in the area of high-speed rail construction.

According to the joint statement, the two countries agreed to boost cooperation in multiple areas in order to further their bilateral partnership.

They vowed to promote greater cooperation in traditional and non-traditional security sectors and jointly address terrorism, trafficking and illegal migration.

They will facilitate two-way investment and continue to promote the use of local currencies in bilateral trade and investment in order to lower the impact of exchange rate risks, the statement says.

The two countries are also committed to strengthening cooperation in the areas of agriculture, science and technology, ocean and environmental protection, it says.

Both sides plan to set up a joint laboratory for climate and marine ecosystem research and seek closer cooperation in the clean energy sector, according to the statement.

To step up cultural exchanges, the two countries agreed to promote the establishment of Chinese and Thai language and culture centers and encourage more students to study abroad, the statement says.

They also pledged to enhance cooperation in tourism, public health, water resource management, flood and disaster prevention and post-disaster reconstruction, according to the statement.

The statement was issued at the end of Yingluck's visit, which lasted from April 17 to 19.