Chinese Defence Chief Meets Thai Junta Leader

Thailand's junta chief met China's defence minister today for talks aimed at deepening their military ties, as strains begin to show between the kingdom and its traditional ally the United States following last year's coup.

China has openly courted Thailand's generals since May's coup, which took place days after democratically elected prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra was ousted by a court ruling following months of street protests.

In contrast, Washington has been critical of the generals' power grab, calling for the return of civilian rule.

Thai prime minister and former army chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha met Mr Chang Wanquan for talks in which he called for greater cooperation with the Chinese military.

"Thailand wants China to support Thailand for research and development in the defence industry and to transfer knowledge to this industry as well," government spokesman Yongtuth Mayalarp told reporters after the meeting.

Mr Yongtuth said Mr Prayut also thanked the Chinese defence minister for "understanding the political situation in Thailand".

Only last month, Mr Prayut said he was "upset" after a senior US diplomat made guarded criticisms of the regime during a visit to the kingdom, and accused Washington of failing to understand Thailand's political situation.

Thailand remains one of the US's staunchest regional allies and Cobra Gold - a major annual military exercise led by the two, involving several other nations - is due to kick off on Monday.

But the tone of the relationship between Washington and Bangkok, who trace their military ties back to the early days of the Cold War, has lost some of its warmth since the coup.

China has been keen to exploit those tensions.

In December, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met Mr Prayut to sign a multi-billion-dollar railway construction agreement in a visit widely interpreted as an endorsement by Beijing of Thailand's new military rulers.

China is also due to take part in Cobra Gold - only the second time it has played a boots-on-the-ground role in the exercise - something the Thai government has been keen to promote in recent weeks.

"Thailand reaffirmed its policy to closely cooperate (with China) especially on security issues, such as military exercises," Mr Yongtuth said.