President Tran Duc Luong held talks in Beijing
VIETNAMESE PRESIDENT HOLDS TALKS WITH CHINESE LEADER
Dec. 25 (VNA) -- Viet Nam's President, Tran Duc Luong, held talks with China's President, Jiang Zemin, in Beijng this afternoon, Dec. 25.
President Tran Duc Luong, who is leading a high-ranking delegation on an official five-day visit to China, had his private meeting with Jiang Zemin soon after arrival.
In the friendly, sincere and frank atmosphere, the two Presidents briefed each other about the socio-economic development of their countries, and discussed at length ways to deepen the friendship and comprehensive cooperation between them to a new height of development in the 21st century.
President Jiang Zemin welcomed President Tran Duc Luong's official visit to China on behalf of the Chinese Party, State and people, saying it was of significant importance as it would help boost friendship and all-round cooperation between the two countries.
In reply, President Tran Duc Luong thanked the Chinese Party and State leaders and people for their warm and friendly welcome.
He expressed his delight at visiting a beautiful country, where he had seen with his own eyes the great achievements recorded by the Chinese people since the People's Republic of China was founded 50 years ago, particularly in the 20 years of pursuing the policy of reform and openness.
He wished to see the Chinese people, led by the Communist Party of China (CPC) and with President Jiang Zemin playing the core role, sucessfully complete resolutions mapped out at the CPC's 15th congress, and in so doing, continue to win greater victories in the cause of economic development that would help raise the international role and prestige of China and take great China into the 21st century.
President Jiang said that he appreciated the major achievements recorded by the Vietnamese people through Doi Moi, Renovation, industrialisation and modernisation to realise the goal of "a wealthy people, a strong nation, a fair and civilised society" under socialist-oriented line.
He wished to see the Vietnamese people, led by the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV), obtain further major achievements in welcome of the new milleninum and the forthcoming CPV 9th congress.
The two Presidents noted with satisfaction the strong and deeper development of neighbourly friendship and comprehensive cooperation between their two countries, particularly after the historic meeting between CPV General Secretary Le Kha Phieu and CPC General Secretary Jiang Zemin in Beijing in February 1999.
The signing of the joint statement setting the framework for all-round Sino-Viet Nam co-operation was the materialisation of the motto "neighbourly friendship comprehensive cooperation, long-lasting stability and future-oriented thinking" that was creating a driving force taking the friendly and cooperative bilateral ties to a new height.
Presidents Luong and Jiang agreed that the signing of the Border Treaty between their countries last December and the Bac Bo (Tonkin) Gulf Delineation Agreement confirmed during President Luong's visit to Beijing would help create pre-conditions for the making both the land and Gulf borders into borders of peace, friendship and long-lasting stability.
This would in turn strengthen mutual trust and understanding, facilitate the development of each country and make an important contribution to the cause for peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world.
The two Presidents lauded the new, encouraging steps between the two countries in the development of economic and commercial relations and shared the same important views about detailed orientations for further promoting economic, commercial and investment cooperation commensurate with the aspirations and potentials of both peoples.
They reaffirmed continued encouragement and assistance to localities, sectors and the commerce of their countries to accelerate cooperation and joint ventures, particularly in economy, trade, science-technology, tourism, culture and education.
The two Presidents reaffirmed the policy to accelerate the trend for peace, cooperation and development in Southeast Asia, the Asia-Pacific and other parts of the world.
President Luong renewed his invitation made in 2000 to Comrade Jiang to visit Viet Nam at a convenient time and the invitation was accepted with pleasure.
Comrade Jiang asked President Luong to convey his warm greetings and wishes of good health to other Vietnamese leaders.--VNA
