Security For China's Wen To Be As Tight As It Was For Obama

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THAI-CHINESE RELATIONS

Security for China's Wen to be as tight as it was for Obama

The Nation

Wen

BANGKOK: -- Thai police will throw a tight security ring around visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao today - the same level of security offered to US President Barack Obama who departed the Kingdom yesterday, according to police spokesman Piya Uthayo.

President Obama's security men said they were satisfied with the measures provided by Thai police during the visit on Sunday and yesterday, he said.

Security for the US president was extremely tight before and during the visit.

The US sent an advance team to check everyone in the Government House compound hours before the arrival of the president. Officials and media representatives were required to move out of the compound and they and their equipment and belongings were checked again when they re-entered.

American security guards were seen everywhere in the Government House compound during the president's time there. Thai police secured the compound from outside.

Wen will arrive in Thailand this evening from Phnom Penh, where he attended the Asean summit with Obama and regional leaders.

Wen's private jet will land at Don Mueang airport at 5pm and he will stay overnight at a Bangkok hotel on the banks of the Chao Phraya River.

Tomorrow he will join Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra at the opening ceremony of the Chinese Cultural Centre on Tiem Ruammit Road. The centre will be the first of its kind in Southeast Asia.

The two leaders will later hold a meeting at Government House and preside over the signing of bilateral agreements, such as the Agreement on Educational Cooperation and the exchange of the Instruments of Ratification of the Treaty on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons.

Yingluck will host an official lunch for Wen.

Following a tradition of the media arrangement for visiting Chinese leaders, it had been previously agreed that Wen and Yingluck would not hold a joint press conference, but a change in the protocol has been finalised and both leaders will have a joint conference. However, the media will still not be allowed to field any questions.

Wen is also scheduled to pay a courtesy call on Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulanonda at 4pm.

His Majesty the King has granted the Chinese premier a Royal audience at Siriraj Hospital at 5pm before Wen's departure for Beijing at 6pm, ending a visit which is perhaps his last while in office. Wen is due to step down after the declaration of the new Chinese leadership last week.

Traditionally, Chinese leaders do not require tight security arrangements for visits to Thailand or any foreign countries.

Wen has spent the past few days mostly in Phnom Penh for the Asean summit and bilateral meetings, in which the hot issue was the territorial conflict in the South China Sea among some Asean countries.

The Rasmei Kampuchea Daily reported that in a bilateral deal, Wen had pledged 329 million yuan (Bt1.6 billion) in assistance to Cambodia during a meeting on Sunday with Prime Minister Hun Sen.

Ieng Sophalet, an assistant to Hun Sen, told reporters the grant would be used for water resource development. He said the two leaders also vowed to boost bilateral trade to US$5 billion (Bt153.5 billion) by 2017.

Wen was quoted as saying China would continue to fully support Cambodia’s social and economic development and would also consider its request for extra assistance.

Ieng Sophalet said the two leaders witnessed the signing of a document on China-Cambodian cooperation on Sunday by Finance Minister Keat Chhon and Chinese Trade Minister Chen Deming.

Wen was scheduled to meet with the Asean, Japanese and South Korean leaders around noon yesterday before holding separate talks with the Asean leaders in the afternoon.

-- The Nation 2012-11- 20

[keemapoot]

but a change in the protocol has been finalised and both leaders will have a joint conference. However, the media will still not be allowed to field any questions.

You gotta love the flexibility of the Thais. When the leader of the free world is in town, show transparency, tout democracy, open the floor to questions, smile a lot and nod your head yes; when the leader of the "not so free world" is in town, double-check internet censoring equipment, shut the press up, smile a lot and nod your head yes.

[canopus1969]

Traditionally, Chinese leaders do not require tight security arrangements for visits to Thailand or any foreign countries.

Has to now - to keep up with Obama

[webfact]

Chinese premier visits Thailand on Tuesday

By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Nov 20 -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao visits Thailand today and tomorrow as a guest of the government, at the invitation of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

Premier Wen was scheduled to arrive at Don Mueang airport at 6.55pm on a trip marking his first official visit to Thailand.

During his stay in Thailand, Mr Wen will be granted an audience with His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej at Siriraj Hospital tomorrow.

Ms Yingluck will welcome Mr Wen at Government House before meeting to discuss enhancing Thai-Chinese relations and cooperation as earlier agreed in the “Joint Statement between China and Thailand on Establishing a Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership”, announced during Ms Yingluck’s official visit to China in April 2012.

They will also discuss global and regional issues of common interest.

Mr Wen and Ms Yingluck will witness the signing of bilateral pacts, including the Agreement on Educational Cooperation and exchanging the Instruments of Ratification of the Treaty on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons.

The two leaders will hold a joint press conference.

The Chinese premier and the Thai leader will also attend the opening ceremony of the China Cultural Centre in Thailand at the Thai CC Tower.

Premier Wen will also pay a courtesy call on Privy Council President Gen Prem Tinsulanonda, Air Chief Marshal Siddhi Savetsila and Gen Surayud Chulanont, Privy Councilors, at the Privy Council Chambers.

The visit by the Chinese premier will further strengthen bilateral relations between Thailand and China and further enhance bilateral cooperation in all aspects under the framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership between Thailand and China. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-11-20