Mr Triet made the affirmation in an interview granted to the Chinese media during their recent visit to Vietnam under the Vietnam-China-ASEAN programme. 

Mr Triet noted that bilateral relations have been strengthened in recent years through regular exchange of high-level visits aimed at promoting friendship and mutual understanding. Notably, the two countries have fulfilled the target for US$10 billion two-way trade value ahead of schedule. In addition to social, cultural and sports cooperation, the two sides have also organised workshops to share experiences in Party building and socialist construction in their respective countries. Land border demarcation and marker planting have been on the right track, stressed Mr Triet.

The Vietnamese State President expressed his hope that Vietnam and China will continue to develop their ties under the motto of "friendly neighbourliness, comprehensive cooperation, long lasting stability and looking towards the future" and in line with the spirit of "Good neighbours, good friends, good comrades and good partners." In addition, the two countries should accelerate the implementation of economic and trade cooperation programmes, particularly projects under the “Two Corridors, One Economic Belt” model as well as bilateral trade promotion programmes agreed by the two countries’ top leaders.

Regarding the ASEAN-China relations, Mr Triet affirmed that Vietnam welcomes all initiatives aimed at strengthening the ASEAN-China multilateral cooperation framework for mutual benefit and development and for peace and development in the region.

As an ASEAN member country bordering China and a close friend of China, Vietnam will serve as a bridge between ASEAN and China, said Mr Triet.

Currently, he said Vietnam and China are implementing the cooperation model “Two Corridors and One Economic Belt”, which involves China’s southern provinces and Vietnam’s northern provinces.

According to the President, there is great potential for cooperation between Vietnam and China as well as between ASEAN and China. Therefore, Vietnam will study all initiatives made by all concerned parties to fully tap their cooperation potential.