Thai PM meets senior Taiwan official for talks on economy

Government officials in Thailand say the Prime Minister, Chuan Leekpai, has met a senior Taiwanese official in a move to boost foreign investment in Thailand's troubled economy.

The officials said Mr Chuan had thirty minutes of talks with the chairman of Taiwan's Council of Economic Planning and Development, Chiang Pin-kung, who is touring South-East Asia with a business delegation.

Mr Chiang also met the Thai Finance Minister, Tarrin Nimmanahaeminda and the Deputy Prime Minister in charge of economic affairs, Supachai Panitchpakdi.

Correspondents say the unusual meeting is likely to anger China, which objects to countries which recognise Beijing having high-level contacts with Taiwan.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service