Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Ha Noi, Dec.4 (VNA) -- Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee (CPVCC) Vu Khoan on Tuesday described the freshly-ended official visit to China by CPVCC General Secretary Nong Duc Manh as a success. He said, the visit, which began on Nov.30 "has brought about significant results".

In an interview with reporters immediately after the Party leader's return from China, Vu Khoan, who accompanied Manh on his China visit, said that during the five-day visit, the two countries shared common views on five major orientations guiding bilateral ties.

Mr. Khoan said:

First, both sides are of the unanimous view that a factor in the successful development of relations between Viet Nam and China is the regular exchange of high-level visits between the two parties and governments.

Second, Viet Nam and China can exchange and learn from each other's experiences in national construction because they are both countries following a path of socialist-oriented development, conducting reform, openness and renewal as well as sharing many historical similarities.

Third, both countries agree to promote their bilateral cooperation in global and regional forums because they have common aspirations for peace, stability, cooperation and development.

Fourth, the two countries also agree to promote bilateral cooperation in economy, trade, science, technology, culture, education and in other sectors.

They have reached an agreement to bring two-way trade to USD 5 billion by 2005 from last year's turnover of USD 2.4 billion.

Fifth, leaders of the two countries agree to speed up fixing of land borders and installing markers in order to make the common border more stable, peaceful and friendly.

Both sides also agree to increase bilateral discussions and negotiations to rapidly put into effect the agreement on the demarcation of the Bac Bo (Tonkin) Gulf and the agreement on fisheries cooperation in the Bac Bo Gulf.--VNA