BEIJING - Top Chinese legislator Zhang Dejiang said here Monday China places importance on expanding its relations with Thailand.

"China will stick to the route of peaceful development and pursue a friendly, good-neighborly policy toward its neighbors," Zhang said.

Zhang, chairman of the National Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), held talks with visiting President Somsak Kitasuranont of the National Assembly of Thailand (NAT) in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Zhang expressed appreciation to Thailand for its support on major issues of China's core interests.

He said the two sides should continuously step up strategic coordination, take care of each other's concerns and enhance mutual trust.

Zhang urged the two sides to explore new growth areas in economic cooperation by rapidly expanding trade and investment.

He said the two countries should strengthen people-to-people contact by encouraging younger generations to deepen mutual understanding and carry forward the China-Thailand friendship. Zhang said the two sides should have even closer cooperation on regional and international issues. He called for the two sides to jointly advance the China-ASEAN relationship and East Asia cooperation.

Zhang said exchanges between the NPC and the NAT have played an important role in advancing bilateral links, development of democratic and legal systems in each country and realization of their development goals.

He said the NPC is ready to further develop the friendly ties with the NAT so as to advance the comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership between the two nations.

He called for the legislatures of the two countries to increase exchanges, learn from each other's experience and enhance mutual understanding and friendship.

Somsak expressed condolence to China on the loss of lives and properties after the earthquake in southwest China's Sichuan province. He said Thailand-China relations are currently at their best.

Somsak said Thailand is ready to work with China to carry out more substantial cooperation in investment, infrastructure, culture and language.

He said the NAT is ready to make fresh contributions to advancing bilateral relations between the two countries.