China's Premier Zhu Rongji has sent a message of congratulations to new Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on his assumption of office, state media reported Saturday.
Zhu on Friday expressed his "warm congratulations" to the new Thai prime minister and wished Thailand prosperity and the Thai people happiness, the Xinhua news agency said.
Zhu added that Sino-Thai friendship had been strengthened and cooperation deepened in recent years.
"The friendly relations between China and Thailand are in keeping with the two peoples' interests and redound to regional peace, stability and prosperity," he said.
Zhu also expressed his belief that Sino-Thai relations would be promoted during Thaksin's term.
Thailand's new House of Representatives voted 340 to 127 Friday to appoint Thaksin as the nation's 23rd prime minister.
Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai (Thais Love Thais) party, which won the January 6 general election by capturing 248 seats, has formed a ruling coalition with the Chart Thai Party and New Aspiration Party with a combined 325 seats in the 500-member parliament -- BEIJING (AFP)
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