Chinese President Meets with Vietnamese Top Legislator

Chinese President Meets with Vietnamese Parliament Leader

Chinese President Jiang Zemin said that China and Viet Nam, both socialist countries under the leadership of communist parties, should seize opportunities, meet challenges, and strengthen cooperation.

Jiang made the remarks in a meeting with Nong Duc Manh, chairman of the National Assembly of Viet Nam, at Zhongnanhai, the central government headquarters in Beijing, this morning.

This year is the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Viet Nam. During the past half century, Jiang said, bilateral relations have withstood the vicissitudes of global politics.

"Good-neighborly friendship forms the basis of our bilateral relations," he pointed out.

He said that in the 1990s China-Viet Nam relationship entered in a new era. The guideline of bilateral relations is based on long-term stability, friendship, cooperation, mutual understanding. "We highly value these relations and are willing to open a bright future for our two countries along with efforts from new Vietnamese leaders."

Jiang pointed out that the early solution of historical problems is in the fundamental interests of the two peoples. He cited that the signing of Sino-Vietnamese land border agreement was the result of "mutual understanding, mutual concession and concerted efforts of both sides."

He also expressed the belief that the demarcation of Beibu Gulf can be properly resolved as scheduled thanks to the efforts from both sides.

Jiang asked Manh to convey his greeting and regards to Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) General-Secretary Le Kha Phieu and Vietnamese President Tran Duc Luong.

Manh conveyed his greetings from Phieu and Luong to Jiang. "The CPV, the Vietnamese National Assembly, and the Vietnamese government all highly value the traditional friendship nurtured by old revolutionaries, including Chairman Ho Chi Minh and Chairman Mao Zedong," he said.

He told Jiang that bilateral ties in the new century as defined by Phieu and Jiang in February, 1999 are extremely important, adding that Vietnam is ready to make concerted efforts to further promote and develop relations.

Manh highly praised the bilateral land border agreement signed by the two countries last year, describing the document as the one that "meets the fundamental interests of the two countries and the common aspirations of the two peoples, conductive to regional peace and stability."

"With continuous efforts from both sides, we believe that the demarcation of Beibu Gulf can be finalized within the deadline set by general secretaries of our two parties," he said.

Manh again reiterated Viet Nam's stance on the Taiwan issue. He told Jiang that Taiwan is an integral part of the Chinese territory and Viet Nam supports China's reunification under the prerequisite of the "One China" principle. Jiang extended his gratitude for such Viet Nam's support.

Manh also passed on an invitation from Phieu and Luong to Jiang to visit Viet Nam. Jiang said that he would very much like to visit Viet Nam again.

Manh arrived in the Chinese capital Tuesday for a seven-day visit at the invitation of Li Peng, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee.