The visiting Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Pham Gia Khiem, and Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing expressed their pleasure at the development of the relations between the two parties and states.

They said that over recent years, regular meetings have been held between ministries, agencies and localities of the two countries, a bilateral cooperation steering committee has been set up, and positive results have been achieved in resolving border issues.

They noted that economic relations between Vietnam and China have experienced marked growths, with two-way trade increasing constantly.

The two senior diplomats focused on discussing on measures to implement the agreements reached during the visits by high-level officials in 2006 and preparations for upcoming visits this year.

They agreed that under the instruction of the Vietnam-China Bilateral Cooperation Steering Committee, the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs should work closely to boost the friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, including cooperation in diplomacy, public security, defence, human resource training, education, healthcare and sports.

th regard to economic cooperation, the two sides agreed to seek measures to maintain bilateral trade and reduce Vietnam's trade deficit.

They were unanimous in establishing a working team on economic cooperation under an agreement on developing bilateral trade and economic relations, and the Vietnamese-Chinese experts' team on surveying the project on cooperation in building express railway and highway.

The two sides also discussed the acceleration of the signing of an agreement on plant and animal quarantine between the two countries.

Regarding their cooperation in sustainably tapping the Mekong and Red rivers, Deputy
PM Khiem proposed the two sides intensify cooperation in regional mechanisms and early set up a cooperative mechanism, and ensure the sustainable usage of water resources as well as protect the environment for their common development goal. The Chinese Foreign Minister affirmed that China attaches great importance to the interests of Vietnam.

Concerning border issues, the two sides acknowledged each other's efforts in implementing relevant agreements over the past years, and affirmed their determination to speed up the work of border demarcation and landmark planting.

They agreed that the 2007 is the decisive year for the completion of border demarcation and landmark planting with the aim of fully completing the task by 2008 as agreed upon by leaders of the two countries.

The two sides praised the implementation of important agreements and deals relating to issues in the Tonkin Gulf, and agreed to accelerate negotiations regarding the delimitation of the sea area beyond the entrance to the gulf.

Concerning marine issues, they agreed to conduct further negotiations in order to seek basic and long-term measures that are acceptable to both sides, and channel their efforts into keeping peace and stability in the East Sea.

On this occasion, Deputy PM Khiem invited Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing to visit Vietnam at an appropriate time and he accepted the invitation with pleasure.

VNA/VOVNews