Vietnamese Vice Prime Minister Nguyen Manh Cam said on November 17 that the upcoming visit by Chinese Prime Minister Zhu Rongji to Vietnam will promote the bilateral relations in all fields.

Nguyen, also Foreign Minister, described Zhu's visit as an important historic event as the relations between the two countries have developed smoothly in recent years.

He told Xinhua there is great potential in the economic cooperation between the two countries, adding the bilateral trade volume of two billion US dollars set by the two governments could be achieved next year.

He also believed that a treaty on land border will be signed between Vietnam and China by the end of this year.

Nguyen extended his congratulations over the forthcoming return of Macao to China, recalling "I attended the Hong Kong return ceremony and was deeply impressed." "I will attend the ceremony on Macao in December as well", he added.

He also voiced confidence that trade and economic ties between Vietnam and Macao would be further enhanced in the framework of Vietnam-China relationship after its return.

Finally, Nguyen welcomed the China-US WTO deal reached Monday in Beijing by the two countries after days of tough negotiations.