Thailand agreed to closer military cooperation with China on Friday, after signing deals to raise combined efforts against transnational crime and stepping up the sharing of intelligence.

Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan was in a two-day visit in Bangkok, as Thailand's ruling military officials pursued Beijing's support amid criticisms from the U.S. over delayed elections.

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Thai Defense Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan said China agreed to help Thailand improve the country's defenses and to share technology that will level up national security.

Prawit added China eyed joint military training, such as shared exercises between the air forces of Thailand and China and to improve overall military cooperation in the next three to five years.

The defense chief ruled out China's interference in local politics but Beijing is expected to provide political support and improve relationships.

Under military rule, Thailand has broadened ties with China at a time when Beijing spreads its influence in Southeast Asia with aid and loans for infrastructure.

Thailand's military seized power last May after months of political unrest and street protests in the capital that left about 30 people dead.  The U.S., which is Thailand's historical ally, is disappointed with the coup and shelved almost $5 million of security-linked aid and scrapped some joint security efforts.

Relations between Bangkok and Washington worsened last month when Thailand accused the U.S. of intervening in local affairs after a visiting American diplomat criticized the Thai military.

The army announced it would keep its hold on power for another 12 months, with general planned set for early next year.

Despite differences with the ruling military, the U.S. will take part in the annual Cobra Gold joint military exercise with Thailand next week. But, the training has been dialed down in breadth to only humanitarian aid operations and relief in times of disasters.

China will also participate in the war games, which are the Asia-Pacific's biggest yearly multinational military training.