Bruneian, Thai media laud Chinese premier's visit

BEIJING - Bruneian and Thai media have hailed Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's visit to their country, saying it promoted common prosperity and development.

Li's Brunei trip will enhance bilateral ties, and the closer friendship between the two countries will contribute to regional peace and stability, Bruneian newspaper Borneo Bulletin said in a report.

"Brunei and China will be looking to extend their maritime and energy cooperation to the next level following the signing of two related document during a bilateral meeting between the leaders," Brunei Times reported in a story titled "Brunei, China to step up maritime, energy ties".

The report said that both leaders expressed their satisfaction with the ongoing energy cooperation between the two countries, and in particular, between Petroleum Brunei and China National Offshore Oil Cooperation (CNOOC).

Thailand's Chinese-language newspaper Asia News Time said that Li's visit to Thailand will upgrade bilateral cooperation on diplomacy and business, and is conducive to promoting tourism and people-to-people exchanges.

It said that the proposals made by Li during his speech is beneficial for both countries.

Thailand's English-language newspaper The Nation elaborated the achievements of Li's visit to its country, including the announcement that China is ready to hold talks with Thailand over visa exemption for regular passport holders.

"The visa waiver would boost tourism between the two countries. Chinese tourists to Thailand could increase up to 5 million this year," the report quoted Li as saying.

"To enhance people-to-people ties and tourism, China would consider a Thai proposal to waiver visas for Thais visiting China, " The Nation quoted Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra as saying.

Thailand is the first ASEAN countries to propose visa waiver with China, which is worth expecting by all, said Thailand's Chinese-language newspaper Sing Sian Yit Pao.