BEIJING, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said here Friday that political parties that serve the people will gain support from the people, adding that the Communist Party of China (CPC) is a good example.

  Thaksin, also president of the Thai Rak Thai Party (TRTP) of Thailand, leads a TRTP delegation to attend the third International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP), which opened here Friday.

  Thaksin took the opportunity to speak about his party, saying though it has a short history, the TRTP has cultivated close ties with the CPC, which is demonstrated by frequent high-profile visits between the two parties.

  Their different ideologies do not preclude the common goal of improving people's lives, he said.

  "The TRTP has much to learn from the CPC, not only about macro-economic control, but also from its connection with common people," Thaksin said.

  Two and half years after its founding by Thaksin, the TRTP won the Thai parliamentary election in January 2001, gaining 248 slots out of the total 500 seats in the House of Representatives. A month later, Thaksin, a former successful businessman, was appointed to the office of prime minister.

  The TRTP adopted wise policies for economic development and has won popularity among the Thai people, Thaksin said.

  "We have had satisfying scenes in our national economy in the latest couple of years," Thaksin said. "But we can learn some things from the rapid growth in China."

  While countries around the world need more and more from each other in trade and economy, he said, political parties, especially ruling parties, should enhance cooperation to promote interstate relationship.

  As an equal and open platform, the ICAPP helps to shape prosperity and maintain stability, Thaksin said.

  The first two ICAPP's were held in Manila, the Philippines, and Bangkok, Thailand.

  Thaksin said the theme of the third ICAPP, "Exchange, Cooperation and Development," carries on the founding ideas of the conference.

  With concerted efforts from all Asian political parties, the ICAPP will develop in a smooth and healthy way, he said.

  Thaksin said the relationship between Thailand and China was "at a highest peak." Governmental and parliamentary exchanges as well as links between political parties have added new vitality to the existing friendship long cherished by Chinese and Thai people,
he said.

  Next year, as part of celebrations for the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the countries, the two will send youth representatives to each other, he said.

  "Sowing seeds of friendship among the youth would give us a bright future," said Thaksin, who was born in China.

  He thanked the Chinese for their generosity in lending two giant pandas to a zoo in Chiang Mai, his hometown.

  He also thanked the Chinese coaches who trained Thai women weight-lifters, who won the first Olympic gold medal for Thai women in the recent Olympic Games in Athens. 

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