On April 29, 2003, Premier Wen Jiabao met with his Thai counterpart Thaksin Shinawatra in Bangkok.

Thaksin gave Wen a warm welcome for his coming to Bangkok to attend the China-ASEAN Leaders' Special Meeting on SARS. He said that Thailand is the first country Wen visits after he took office, which demonstrates the friendship of the two countries. Thailand and China share common ground on many issues and now face the same challenge. The word “conjuncture”, if put into Chinese, contains the meaning of crisis and opportunity as well. Thailand is ready to have close cooperation with China to contain the epidemic disease, and bring the friendship of the two countries to a higher level.

Wen pointed out that Thailand is China’s good neighbor, fine relative, and nice partner. Bilateral friendly cooperation is featured by being all-dimensional, high-level and multi-tiered. The outbreak of SARS will not affect the development of bilateral relations between China and Thailand. The relevant cooperation contracts will be sped up according to original plans, and furthermore, the construction process of China and ASEAN Free Trade Zone will be initiated soon. The two countries also need to effectively conduct cooperation in such fields as tourism, the development of Menam Khong river region, and the fight against drug trafficking.

Wen positively appraised Thailand as the host of this China-ASEAN Leaders' Special Meeting on SARS. He said this meeting vividly embodies the mutual trust and support between China and ASEAN, and will send out strong message to the international community, displaying China and ASEAN will join hands to overcome the challenge of SARS. Thaksin totally agreed with this, and highly praised Chinese leaders for their earnestly practicing what they advocate, leading the Chinese people in combating SARS. He believed that China will prevail over the present difficulties.