He expressed firm support to the one-China policy and opposition to Taiwan "independence."

The three leaders also called for good planning and execution of the strategy known as "the two corridors and one circle."

The two corridors refer to the economic belts stretching from Kunming in Southwest China's Yunnan Province to Hanoi and from Nanning in Southwest China's Guangxi to Hanoi while the circle refers to the pan-Beibu Bay economic area.

Among the documents signed is a memorandum of understanding on co-operation on the "two corridors and one circle" strategy.

China and Viet Nam have become closer in recent years, with frequent reciprocal visits by leaders creating a platform for stable co-operation.

Bilateral trade reached US$8 billion last year and is expected to surpass US$10 billion this year, four years ahead of the target set by the prime ministers of the two countries in 2004.

Hu's three-day state visit to Viet Nam comes ahead of this weekend's meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation.

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