Thailand and China signed an agreement in Bangkok Monday to set up cultural centers in each country to boost cultural exchange and cooperation.

With the agreement, Thailand will become the first foreign country to host a Chinese Cultural Center sponsored by the Chinese government as an official non-profit institution aiming to promote bilateral exchange in culture, education, art, broadcasting, social science and other related areas.

Chinese Ambassador to Thailand Zhang Jiuhuan and Thailand's Culture Minister Lady Khaisri Sriaroon signed the agreement on behalf of their respective government.

Lady Khaisri said the agreement is a fruit of long and ceaseless cultural exchange relationship development between the two countries and peoples, and she believed it will also provide momentum for future cultural cooperation.

Zhang said construction of the Chinese Cultural Center in Bangkok will start soon, and he hoped the Thai Cultural Center in Beijing could be set up as early as possible.

(Xinhua News Agency December 18, 2007)