Liu made the statement at a regular Chinese Foreign Ministry press briefing in Beijing on February 7, announcing Vietnamese Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh’s upcoming visit to China.

China attaches importance to developing relations with Vietnam, said Liu.

He said a healthy and stable Sino-Vietnamese relationship will serve the interests of the two nations and be beneficial to peace, stability and development in the region and the rest of the world.

Foreign Minister Minh will pay an official visit to China from February 13-15 at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi.

During his stay, Minister Minh will hold talks with Minister Yang and meet with other Chinese leaders. Both sides will discuss measures to increase high-level exchanges, promote mutually beneficial cooperation and settle pending issues in bilateral relations. They will also touch upon issues relating to China-ASEAN relations.