On December 24, 2011, visiting Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping met at the hotel where he stayed with chief of the Democratic Party of Thailand and former Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiv.

Since China and Thailand established diplomatic ties 36 years ago, the two countries have conducted pragmatic cooperation in various areas based on mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, Xi said. Xi said China and Thailand have deepened political mutual trust, expanded business cooperation and increased people-to-people and cultural exchanges since they established a strategic cooperative partnership. Both sides have also maintained close communication and coordination in international and regional affairs. China highly appreciates Abhisit's efforts to promote bilateral cooperation during his tenure as prime minister, Xi said, adding that China attaches great importance to developing friendly cooperation with the Thai royal family, the Thai government, parties and all social sectors and is ready to work with Thailand to further strengthen the good-neighborly and friendly cooperation to bring more benefits to the two peoples.

Xi said that the party-to-party relationship constitutes an important part in the relations between the two countries as it plays a vital role in strengthening political mutual trust and deepening bilateral cooperation. In this connection, the Communist Party of China (CPC) has always remained committed to developing friendly relationship with all parties in Thailand, including the Democratic Party, and stands ready to further step up communication and learn from each other so as to continue to make new contributions to their respective national construction and development of bilateral ties.

Abhisit, on his part, said Xi's current visit has drawn close attention from people of all walks of life in Thailand, and that the Thai people have applauded the consensus reached on promoting cooperation in economy and trade, finance, agriculture and railway construction, among others. He extended his gratitude for the aids offered by China to flood-hit areas in Thailand. The leader of the opposition Democratic Party also pledged that his party will, as always, play a positive role in promoting bilateral cooperation and stands ready to further strengthen friendly ties with the CPC.