Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli (L, front) attends the royal cremation ceremony of Thailand's late King Bhumibol Adulyadej as the special envoy of Chinese President Xi Jinping in Bangkok, Thailand, Oct. 26, 2017. (Xinhua/Thai Royal Household Bureau)
BANGKOK, Oct. 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli attended the royal cremation ceremony of Thailand's late King Bhumibol Adulyadej here on Thursday as the special envoy of Chinese President Xi Jinping.
During the ceremony, Zhang expressed to Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn the Chinese side's deep condolences and reverence to the late king and conveyed President Xi's best wishes to King Vajiralongkorn.
On behalf of President Xi, Zhang invited King Vajiralongkorn to visit China at an early date after his coronation.
King Vajiralongkorn appreciated Zhang's attendance of the cremation ceremony as President Xi's special envoy, saying that he has visited China for several times and he would like to visit China again in the future.
King Bhumibol, who had reigned Thailand for 70 years since 1946, was the longest reigning monarch in the world.
He died last October after he had been hospitalized for several years.
He was succeeded by his only son King Maha Vajiralongkorn, who was named crown prince in 1972.
