Chinese Vice-President Xi Jinping (R) shakes hands with former Thai prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who is also leader of the Democrat Party, in Bangkok, Thailand, Dec 24, 2011. [Photo/Xinhua]

BANGKOK - Visiting Chinese Vice-President Xi Jinping met here Saturday with Thailand's former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiv, discussing ways to strengthen relationship between their two countries.

Since China and Thailand established diplomatic ties 36 years ago, the two countries have conducted pragmatic cooperation in various areas based on mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, Xi told Abhisit, who is also the chief of the Democratic Party of Thailand.

Xi said China and Thailand have deepened political mutual trust, expanded business cooperation and increased people-to-people exchanges since they established a strategic cooperative partnership.

China highly appreciates Abhisit's efforts to promote bilateral cooperation during his tenure as prime minister, Xi said, adding that China is ready to work with Thailand to further strengthen the friendly cooperation to bring more benefits to the two peoples.

Xi said that the party-to-party relationship constitutes an important part in the relations between the two countries as it plays an vital role in strengthening political mutual trust and deepening bilateral cooperation.

In this connection, the Communist Party of China (CPC) has always remained committed to developing friendly relationship with all parties in Thailand, including the Democratic Party, and stands ready to further step up communication between the two sides so as to learn from each other.

Abhisit, on his part, extended his gratitude for the aids offered by China to flood-hit areas in Thailand.

He said current Xi's visit has drawn close attention from people in all walks of life in Thailand, and that the Thai people have applauded the consensus reached on promoting cooperation in economy and trade, finance, agriculture and railway construction, among others.

The leader of the opposition Democratic Party also pledged that his party will, as always, play a positive role in promoting bilateral cooperation and stands ready to further strengthen friendly ties with the CPC.

Also on Saturday, Xi visited the Confucius Institute of the Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok.

He highly hailed the university's contribution to the teaching of the Chinese language and culture, saying the country's most prominent university has played an important role in deepening traditional friendship between China and Thailand.

Xi hoped that the Chulalongkorn University's Confucius Institute, along with other confucius institutes in Thailand, will take full advantage of cultural exchanges to enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples, facilitate the bilateral cooperation and mutual benefit, and contribute to boosting mutual learning between different human civilizations.

Xi also hoped that the Thai youth would constantly learn Chinese culture and language to develop better understanding of China, so as to become the messenger of the everlasting China-Thailand friendship.

On behalf of all faculties and students, President of the Chulalongkorn University, Pirom Kamolratanakul, said Xi's visit is a great honor for his university, which serves as a recognition for its long-term commitment to developing cultural exchanges between Thailand and China.

He said the university will take the visit as an opportunity to intensify cultural exchanges and cooperation in the Chinese language teaching, and to make continuous efforts to promote friendship between Thailand and China.