BANGKOK — State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on July 31 met with Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai and Lao Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) foreign ministers' meeting and other related meetings.

In his meeting with Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai, Wang hailed the traditional friendship between China and Thailand, saying that China is looking forward to enhancing cooperation with Thailand's new government so as to further deepen the development of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries in the new era.

Wang also said that China and Thailand should pragmatically push forward the construction of the China-Thai railway, expand cooperation in the sectors of digital economy and 5G communication technology, as well as positively press forward the third-party cooperation on the high-speed rail in Eastern Economic Corridor and smart city projects, among others.

He said China fully supports Thailand's ASEAN chairmanship this year.

For his part, the Thai foreign minister said that Thailand attaches great importance to the development of Thailand-China relations and Thailand's new government will stick to its foreign policies toward China, conduct high-level exchanges with China, jointly implement the Belt and Road initiative, and expand cooperation on economy and trade.

As the ASEAN chair this year, Thailand will contribute to deepening the ASEAN-China cooperation, the Thai foreign minister added.

While meeting Lao Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith, Wang said that China and Laos should deepen cooperation in various areas such as sharing experience in state governance and forge flagship projects of the Belt and Road Initiative.

Saleumxay expressed gratitude to China for supporting the economic and social development of Laos.

He said Laos is willing to boost coordination and cooperation with China on international and regional issues.