At the invitation of General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and President of the People's Republic of China, Hu Jintao, Party leader Nong Duc Manh began his official friendship visit to China from August 22-26.

In a recent interview granted to a Radio the Voice of Vietnam (VOV) reporter, Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam Hu Qianwen said the visit is an important event of historic significance which will further diversify bilateral cooperation and strengthen relations in the future through the motto “friendly neighbourliness, comprehensive co-operation, long-lasting stability and embracing the future” and “good neighbours, good friends, good comrades and good partners."

Mr Manh’s selection of China as his first visit after the successful conclusion of the 10^th National Party Congress shows that the new Vietnamese leadership attaches great importance to promoting the relations of friendship and comprehensive cooperation with China and this is also the desire of the Chinese Party and government, said the Chinese Ambassador.

Bilateral relations have positively developed in recent times through regular two-way visits by senior leaders of the two Parties and the two National Assemblies.

Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh’s visit to China in August will be followed by General Secretary and State President Hu Jintao’s visit to Vietnam in November to attend the 2006 APEC Summit. In addition, cooperative relations between the two countries’ ministries and sectors have been well-established. The Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Ministries of National Defence and Ministries of Public Security have built a cooperative dialogue mechanism and a foundation for bilateral cooperation. The two Parties have organised four major seminars with a focus on Party building and national governance. Cultural exchange programmes are launched annually by the two countries’ youth unions.

Bilateral economic relations have made substantial developments, benefiting both countries. Since 2004, China has become Vietnam’s largest trading partner. Two-way trade turnover reached US$8.3 billion in 2005 and is expected to hit more than US$10 billion this year. In the spirit of friendly cooperation for mutual benefit, the two countries have addressed a number of pending issues by history by signing the Land Border Agreement, the Tokin Gulf Delineation Agreement and the Fishing Cooperation Agreement. In recent years, naval forces from the two countries have conducted joint patrol activities in the Gulf of Tokin. Bilateral relations are flourishing.

The “two corridors – one economic beltway” was initiated by the two Governments in 2004. Accordingly, the first corridor is Kunming-Lao Cai-Hanoi-Hai Phong and the second corridor is Nanning-Lang Son-Hanoi-Hai Phong. The two corridors will create an economic beltway around the Gulf of Tokin. Experts of the two countries have held several meetings and reached agreements in some specific areas. They have presented reports to the Governments and will soon undertake the projects.

An economic cooperation forum regarding the Gulf of Tokin was held in Nanning last July.

Prior to General Secretary Nong Duc Manh’s visit to China, Chinese press published a number of articles to introduce Vietnam’s achievements during its doi moi (renewal) process.

In a recent interview granted to Chinese Xinhua News Agency, Party Central Committee’s Theoretical Council member Duong Phu Hiep emphasized the determination of Vietnamese leaders to hasten the economic growth rate, attract investment, facilitate administrative reforms, and actively prevent corruption and wastefulness. 

Following the Vietnam visit by Chinese Party General Secretary and President Hu Jintao last October, the China visit by Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh will likely become a high-level strategic dialogue aimed at deepening friendly and cooperative relations between Vietnam and China.