The outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) won't affect Sino-Thai friendship, but is bound to enhance the bilateral ties, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said when meeting his Thai counterpart Thaksin Shinawatra.
Wen arrived in Bangkok earlier in the day to attend China-ASEAN Leaders' Special Meeting on SARS Tuesday afternoon at the invitation of the Thai prime minister.
The Chinese premier said that the outbreak of SARS will not affect the development of bilateral relations between China and Thailand, which is characterized by the two countries' profound cooperation in various fields.
He noted that China is ready to cooperate with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to fight against the killer disease, adding that ASEAN and China's special meeting on SARS shows the mutual trust and support.
Thaksin said Thailand and China share common ground on many issues and now face the same challenge.
He said Thailand is ready to have close cooperation with China to contain the epidemic disease.
He stressed that fighting against SARS and overcoming difficulties caused by the disease would enhance the existing Sino-Thai friendship.
(Xinhua News Agency April 30, 2003)
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