Chulabhorn is in China as guest of the Ministry of Culture on a concert tour entitled "Two Lands, One Heart" and she played Chinese zither at the premiere in Beijing on Aug. 18.

Li spoke highly of the friendship between the Chinese and Thai peoples which dated back to ancient times.

He pointed to the good-neighborly relations of mutual trust and cooperation established with the joint efforts of both countries since they forged diplomatic ties 27 years ago.

The Sino-Thai relationship had set an example for the development of friendship and reciprocal cooperation among countries with different social systems, he said.

Li also praised the Thai royal family for its contributions to the development of bilateral friendship.

He voiced his congratulations on the success of the concert.

Chulabhorn said she hoped that bilateral friendship would be carried forward from generation to generation.

(Xinhua News Agency August 21, 2002)