In a meeting with Zha Peixin, Vice Chairman of the China National People’s Congress’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Ms Phong praised China’s role and contributions to the regional legislative body as an observer in recent times. She welcomed the exchange of visits between the legislative bodies of both Vietnam and China and said that the Vietnam National Assembly will do its utmost to strengthen traditional friendship between the two countries.

Zha Peixin congratulated Vietnam on its hosting the upcoming 31^st General Assembly of AIPA in Hanoi in 2010 and said that China is looking forward to receiving a Vietnam National Assembly delegation led by its chairman Nguyen Phu Trong in Beijing at the earliest possible time.

He told Ms Phong that Vietnam and China have treasured the friendly relationship for years, which has developed strongly in all fields, including legislation.

In a separate meeting with MP Bryan Wilfert, deputy head of the National Security and Defence Committee of the Canadian House of Commons, Ms Phong thanked Canada for providing assistance to Vietnam, especially its victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin. She noted that Vietnam is one of Canada’s 20 aid recipients.

Ms Phong expressed her belief that Canada will increase cooperation with Vietnam in trade, education, science-technology and human resources development.

Bryan Wilfert praised Vietnam’s increasing role in AIPA as well as its initiatives introduced at the 30^th General Assembly of AIPA. He affirmed that the Canadian parliament will pay more attention to issues related to Vietnamese Agent Orange victims and increase the exchange of visits to share experience.