Thailand, Japan pledge to cement economic ties

 　　BANGKOK, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Thailand and Japan agreed here on Thursday to further strengthen economic and business ties, as the two sides both expressed intention to cooperate in Thailand's key infrastructure¹ mega-projects.

　　In a press briefing after her bilateral² talk with visiting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Thai PM Yingluck Shinawatra said they agreed to increase cooperation under the existing framework of Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership³ Agreement (JTEPA).

　　Japanese investment in Thailand has largely increased by 85 percent during the first 11 months of last year which reflects the confidence of Japanese businessmen in Thailand, she said.

　　Yingluck said Abe's visit showcases Japan's intent to further strengthen strong strategic partnership between the two countries.

　　On his part, Prime Minister Abe expressed interest in involving Japan in Thailand's infrastructure development projects, such as the flood prevention system, high speed railway project and the trans-national Dawei project which straddles Myanmar and Thailand.

　　As the biggest overseas investor⁴ in Thailand and its biggest trade partner, Japan encourages SMEs investment in Thailand in such potential areas as green technology, automotive, aircraft, and energy, he said.

　　The two leaders also called on Asian countries to join hands in keeping peace and stability to maintain favorable atmosphere for economic development.

　　The newly-appointed Japanese PM, who came here from Hanoi, is scheduled to proceed to Jakarta on Friday to conclude his first overseas tour after taking office last December.

1 infrastructure   

n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施

参考例句：

• We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
• We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。

2 bilateral   

adj.双方的，两边的，两侧的

参考例句：

• They have been negotiating a bilateral trade deal.他们一直在商谈一项双边贸易协定。
• There was a wide gap between the views of the two statesmen on the bilateral cooperation.对双方合作的问题，两位政治家各自所持的看法差距甚大。

3 partnership   

n.合作关系，伙伴关系

参考例句：

• The company has gone into partnership with Swiss Bank Corporation.这家公司已经和瑞士银行公司建立合作关系。
• Martin has taken him into general partnership in his company.马丁已让他成为公司的普通合伙人。

4 investor   

n.投资者，投资人

参考例句：

• My nephew is a cautious investor.我侄子是个小心谨慎的投资者。
• The investor believes that his investment will pay off handsomely soon.这个投资者相信他的投资不久会有相当大的收益。