On February 19, 2003, Vice-Primier Wen Jiabao met with Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra at Zhongnanhai.

Wen said China and Thailand are geographically connected, culturally joined, and consanguineously interlaced. He noted that the two countries are good friends, neighbors and partners with similar cultures, and said bilateral relations have progressed steadily as they have followed the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence since the forging of diplomatic ties. After years of joint efforts, the two countries have enhanced their political mutual trust, cooperation in various fields, and enjoyed close coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs. China is very satisfied with the development of bilateral ties.

Stressing China has always regarded Thailand as one of its most important cooperative partners in Asia, Wen said it is China's long-term policy to strengthen good neighborliness, mutual trust, and all-round cooperative ties with Thailand.

Thaksin said he had lived in an atmosphere where Thailand and China were like kinsmen since he was young. After taking office as Thai prime minister, he has gained support from Chinese leaders in both bilateral ties and international and regional affairs. He pointed out that China is the most important country in Asia, and it would have been hard for regional cooperative mechanism to achieve current progress without China's sincere support. Expressing pleasure of making the acquaintance of Wen, He said he is ready to cooperate closely with China's new leadership to jointly promote the development of good-neighborly friendship and cooperation.