Reporter: Could you tell us about the purpose and significance of your visit to China?

Mr Khiem: My visit to China had three purposes: Firstly, discussing with Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and other officials orientations and measures to implement the agreements reached in 2006 and preparing for high-level visits in 2007; Secondly, preparing for the second session of the Vietnam-China Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation at the end of July; Thirdly, exchanging views on how to promote closer cooperation between the two foreign ministries.

Over the past years, the relations of friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and China have been constantly consolidated and developed in both width and depth, bringing about practical benefit for both sides. The annual exchange of visits by senior leaders and their contacts on the sidelines of international conferences have become an important factor in boosting the multifaceted cooperation between the two governments and peoples.

Reporter: Could you brief us on the outcome of the visit?

Mr Khiem: My visit to China was very successful. In Beijing, I had hold talks with Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and met with State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan and Prime Minister Wen Jiabao, who highly appreciated the new and positive development of the relations between the two parties and peoples.

The two sides discussed orientations and measures to strengthen bilateral relations with a focus on implementing the agreements signed during the exchange of high-level visits in 2006.

In terms of economic and trade cooperation, they expressed their determination to achieve US$15 billion in two-day trade turnover by 2010 and to accelerate the implementation of major economic cooperation projects and agreements on developing “Two corridors-one economic belt” economic and trade cooperation. The two sides agreed to set up a Vietnam-China expert group to survey a project to build a railway line and route under the framework of “Two corridors-one economic belt” cooperation.

During the talks, I underscored the need to closely cooperate so as to make the best use of water resources and to intensity the environmental protection of the Mekong and Red rivers.

For their part, Chinese leaders pledged to pay more attention to the interest of countries along the lower reaches of the Mekong and Red rivers including Vietnam.

The two sides discussed preparatory work for the second session of the Vietnam-China Bilateral Cooperation Steering Committee.

Regarding the border issue, both sides affirmed their determination to complete the delineation of the land borderline and planting of border markers by 2008 and continued to speed up negotiations on the demarcation of territorial waters in the Tonkin Gulf for peace and stability in the East Sea.

The two sides agreed the need to strengthen cultural and educational exchange and cooperation and boost multi-faceted cooperation between border localities in order to build the Vietnam-China borderline into one of peace and friendship for mutual development. Both sides also agreed to strengthen cooperation within international organizations and at multilateral forums.

I held talks with leaders of Shanghai and representatives of big economic groups and enterprises. They all expressed their wish to further boost the trade and economic relations between China and Vietnam in future.

I also had a working session with Ho Hau Wah, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of China’s Macau Special Administrative Region. We discussed measures to promote bilateral ties between Vietnam and the Macau Special Administrative Region, including the implementation of the agreements signed during the Vietnam visit by Ho Hau Wah in October 2006. Both sides will continue to discuss measures to cooperate in the field of labour and tourism.

Reporter: What do you think about Vietnam-China relations in future?

Deputy PM Khiem: Vietnam and China are two close neighbors and the peoples of the two countries have helped each other in the cause of national liberation and construction. Currently, the two countries are striving to implement the Doi Moi (Renewal) process and open-door policies aimed at making their countries strong and prosperous. Vietnam and China are now members of important regional and international organizations.

We are glad to see that the friendship and comprehensive relations between Vietnam and China have been constantly consolidated over the past years to bring about practical benefits for the two countries. We believe that with the joint efforts of the two parties, states, and peoples, the Vietnam-China relations will be strongly developed under the motto of "Friendly neighborliness, comprehensive cooperation, long-term stability, and future-orientation” forever being "good neighbours, good friends, good comrades, good partners" for the sake of peace, stability, cooperation and development in Asian and in the world.