China president, Vietnam PM highlight ties between nations

Source: Xinhua | 10-23-2008 09:13

BEIJING, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao met here on Wednesday with visiting Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung who was here for an official visit and to attend the Seventh Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM7) scheduled for Oct. 24-25.

Hu highlighted that China-Vietnam ties were "in a new phase of comprehensive development." He noted China highly valued its relations with Vietnam and was willing to make joint efforts with the country to boost the bilateral comprehensive and strategic partnership to a higher level.

He made a proposal in aim to continue to step up the Sino-Vietnamese relation, calling on the two sides to work closer to deal with the new situation and challenges concerning the bilateral relations and share the opportunity for further development.

The two sides should handle the future direction of the bilateral strategic partnership in a long-term and strategic perspective that served to the fundamental interests of the two nations and two peoples and promoted the stability and prosperity of the region, Hu noted.

He also voiced China's willingness to maintain close high-level contacts and frequent exchange of views with Vietnam on significant issues that might affect the bilateral relations, expressing his hope the two nations would complete the demarcation work on the land border at an early date.

The two sides should strengthen their cooperation and give full play to the various cooperative mechanism to promote the bilateral exchange and cooperation in various fields and at various level, Hu added.

Nguyen agreed with the growth of the bilateral relations, noting his people would never forget the tremendous support China offered during the country's fight for national independence and sovereignty.

Vietnam would put its relations with China as top priority for its foreign policy and join hands with China to push forward the bilateral strategic partnership and pass on the friendship between the two peoples from generation to generation, Nguyen stressed.

He also spoke positively on the important efforts the two sides made for the settlement of the boundary demarcation work, expressing his hope that the two nations could reach an agreement soon.

Nguyen started his China visit on Monday at the invitation of Premier Wen Jiabao.

Editor:Zhang Ning