New Chinese ambassador to Thailand Han Zhiqiang, who has arrived in Thailand to take up his new post, has pledged to strengthen cooperation between the countries in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.
Ambassador Han, who arrived in Thailand on Tuesday, said China and Thailand are time-honoured good neighbours.
Under the special circumstances of the Covid-19 pandemic, the countries have been helping each other, interpreting with practical actions the valued kinship of "one family" and spirit of a community with a shared future for mankind, he said.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Communist Party of China (CPC). China has built a moderately prosperous society, and is striving towards the goal of building a great modern socialist country, he said.
Thailand is concentrating its efforts on national revitalisation and forward the 20-year National Strategy, he said.
"In the context of the vigorous development of China-Thailand relations, I am honoured to undertake upon instruction the glorious mission of Chinese ambassador to Thailand and resolve to fulfill my duties and responsibilities wholeheartedly," Mr Han said.
"I look forward to working with friends from all walks of life in Thailand to strengthen the cooperation between our countries in fighting this pandemic, deepening friendly exchanges in various fields, and promoting the China-Thailand comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership to new heights."
Mr Han said that in facing humanity's common challenge of the Covid-19 pandemic, all sectors of Thailand have been making concerted efforts. The pandemic will eventually be overcome, he said.
In the 46 years since the forging of diplomatic relations, China and Thailand have been working and moving forward together, with strategic mutual trust deepened, pragmatic cooperation expanded, and people-to-people amity strengthened, he said.
Mr Han said that China has been Thailand's largest trading partner for eight consecutive years. In the first half of this year, bilateral trade volumes between the two sides increased by more than 38%.
Prior to the pandemic, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Thailand exceeded 10 million a year, accounting for one-third of all foreign tourist visits to Thailand, he said.
The friendly cooperation between China and Thailand conforms to the fundamental interests of the two nations and receives people's heartfelt and firm support, he said.
"I am fully convinced that, no matter how the international landscape changes, the China-Thailand friendly cooperation will forge ahead,'' the Chinese ambassador said.
