On August 27, 2001, President Jiang Zemin met with Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra at the Great Hall of the People.

Jiang first welcomed Thaksin to China and recalled his pleasant meeting with Thaksin during his visit to Thailand and at the Hong Kong Fortune 500 Forum last May. He said that the Prime Minister’s visit will play a very important role in the further development of bilateral relations. Jiang said that the friendly exchanges between leaders of the two countries reflect the deep friendship between the two countries.

Jiang remarked that during the past 26 years since the two countries forged diplomatic ties, bilateral relations have maintained stable and healthy development no matter what changes have occurred in the international arena, making it an example of friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation among nations of different social systems. Jiang extended gratitude to Thailand for its precious support to China so far on human rights and other issues. China has been closely following the situation in Thailand after the Asian financial crisis and is pleased to see the upward economic growth in Thailand.

Jiang agreed with Thaksin on strengthening cooperation among Asian countries. He said that Asia suffered a lot during the past few centuries. Asia will see greater development in the new century and should look forward to the future by summing up past experience and lessons. All things conducive to the friendship among Asian nations should be encouraged, whereas things detrimental to the development among Asian countries should be avoided. Asian countries, developing countries in particular, should seize the opportunities brought by new technologies and adhere to their own development path based on Asian experience and wisdom.

Thaksin thanked President Jiang for meeting with him again. He said that Queen Sirikit’s visit to China not long ago is very successful and Her Majesty deeply felt the friendly feelings of the Chinese people towards Thailand. He expressed sincere thanks for that. He noted that the purpose of his visit is to push forward and implement the bilateral friendly cooperation in all fields on the basis of the results achieved during Premier Zhu Rongji's Thailand visit. Thailand welcomes China's development and its pending entry into the World Trade Organization adding he hopes that all Asian nations score common development through cooperation.

Jiang asked Thaksin to convey his greetings to Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit and invited them to visit China at their convenience. He also said that he is looking forward to meeting Thaksin again at the APEC Informal Leadership Meeting in Shanghai. Thaksin conveyed greetings from the Thai King and Queen to Jiang.