Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong (left) met with visiting Thai crown princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn in Beijing, capital of China on March 5, 2015.[Photo: Chinanews.com/ Hou Yu]

Thai crown princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn has started her official visit to China from April 3 to April 6, 2015 at the invitation of the Chinese government, Xinhua reported.

Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong met with visiting princess Sirindhorn in Beijing on Sunday and voiced her appreciation for Sirindhorn's contribution to deepening friendship and mutual understanding between the two peoples.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Thailand, Liu said the two sides will work together to deepen bilateral ties.

Sirindhorn said Thailand cherishes the traditional friendship with China and is willing to promote Thailand-China ties.

Before her meeting with Chinese Vice Premier Liu, the princess celebrated her 60th birthday at Peking University on this Saturday.

The princess studied Chinese at Peking University in her early years and has visited China several times.