Chinese, Thai leaders vow speedy free trade talks

Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and visiting Chinese Vice Premier Li Lanqing vowed Friday to speed up the creation of a bilateral free trade area (FTA) between their two countries.

"Both sides have to be ready," Thaksin told reporters after talks with Li.

"Thailand expects China to be the first country with which it concludes a free trade agreement."

The Chinese official also vowed to press ahead with the bilateral trade pact.

"Li Lanqing promised that China will particularly speed up study to establish a free trade area with Thailand that is separate from China's commitment to a free trade area with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)," government spokeswoman Sansanee Nakpong said.

The 10-nation ASEAN bloc and Beijing have agreed to complete their FTA -- which would be the world's largest -- by 2010.