Mr Luat made the comments at a press briefing in Beijing on May 10 to announce Mr Triet’s visit to China from May 15-18 at the invitation of Chinese State President Hu Jintao. 

“This is the first visit to China by Mr Triet in his capacity as State President of Vietnam, and is taking place six months after Mr Hu’s official visit to Vietnam during the 14^th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Hanoi last November,” said Mr Luat. “The visit is a continuation of regular meetings between the two countries’ senior leaders, and shows the strong development of bilateral ties.”

Mr Luat said during his stay, Mr Triet will hold talks and have meetings with top Chinese leaders to discuss measures to consolidate mutual trust and boost bilateral ties in such areas as politics, diplomacy, national defence, economics and culture.