Hu's visit to Viet Nam takes ties to new high
By Jiao Xiaoyang and Qin Jize (China Daily)
Updated: 2005-11-01 05:38

HANOI: China and Viet Nam agreed to speed up the survey of borderlines and push economic exchanges to a new high after talks between top leaders yesterday.

In discussions with Communist Party of Viet Nam General Secretary Nong Duc Manh and Vietnamese President Tran Duc Luong, visiting President Hu Jintao proposed to complete the survey of land borderlines between the two countries and promote marine co-operation.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (C) shakes hands with Vietnam's Communist Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh (R) and President Tran Duc Luong at the party's head office in Hanoi October 31, 2005. Hu is in Hanoi on a three-day official visit. [Xinhua]

He also suggested that both sides work hard to achieve the stated target of US$10 billion annual two-way trade earlier.

Nong agreed with Hu's proposal, saying bilateral ties are growing steadily both politically and economically. "It is the consistent policy of the party and the government of Viet Nam to give top priority to the relations between our two parties and two governments," said Nong.

Hu said China and Viet Nam are continuing a friendly relationship under the agreed principles of long-term stability, future orientation, good neighbourly friendship and all-round co-operation.

The two sides signed a host of deals on economic and technological co-operation after the talks.

Hu arrived in Hanoi yesterday for a three-day official visit as a guest of Nong and Tran. The visit, highlighting the 55th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Viet Nam, was the first since he took office as general secretary of Communist Party of China Central Committee and president.

Thousands of people waving Vietnamese and Chinese flags cheered Hu in front of Viet Nam's Presidential Hall where a welcome ceremony was held. "To ordinary Vietnamese, China is not only a big country but also a friendly neighbour," said Kap Thanh Long, a reporter from local newspaper Thanh Nien.