Thailand and China on Friday agreed to more military cooperation amid irritation in the ruling Thai junta over a call by a US diplomat to end martial law.
The announcement coincided with the visit of Chinese Defence Minister Chang Wanquan to Bangkok to mark 40 years of cooperation between the two countries.
“China has agreed to assist Thailand in matters of national security and to provide technical assistance,” Thai Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan told reporters after the meetings.
“They understand our political situation and will not intervene in that matter.”
Prawit also revealed that Chang had invited members of the Thai armed forces to China to boost bilateral ties as well as conduct bilateral military exercises.
The announcement comes amid continued anti-American sentiment within the Thai government due to statements a visiting diplomat made.
Thailand’s military government has called in the US embassy charge d’affaires to explain a visiting US State Department official’s remarks that Thailand should lift martial law.
At the State Department’s daily briefing on Thursday, deputy spokeswoman Marie Harf reiterated that the United States would only restore full diplomatic ties once Thailand’s military government restored democracy.
“We have continued to urge the government to take necessary steps to fully succeed in its transition to democracy,” Harf said before adding that Thailand was a “valued friend and ally.”
Thailand is set to host the annual Cobra Gold military exercises with US forces next week, the largest of their kind in the Asia-Pacific region.
But Washington has scaled down the scope of the multi-nation war games to non-lethal activities such as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in response to the military seizure power in a coup in May.
GNA
