President Jiang Zemin Meets Vietnamese PM

Chinese President Jiang Zemin Meets Vietnamese PM

President Jiang Zemin said Tuesday that keeping good-neighborhood and cooperative relations between China and Vietnam will be important for both countries as well as for regional and world peace and stability.

Jiang made the remarks while meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Phan Van Khai, who arrived here Monday on a four-day visit to China, the second visit for him as prime minister.

Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji and Phan Van Khai held talks Monday. Jiang said Phan's visit will help contribute to the development of relations between the two countries.

The year 2000 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Sino-Vietnamese diplomatic relations. Jiang said good-neigborly relations have been the mainstream of the relations over the past half century.

Jiang said the close contacts and frequent exchange of views on bilateral relations and international issues between leaders of the two countries have helped increase mutual understanding and trust. China is satisfied with the current Sino-Vietnamese relations.

China and Vietnam, two close neighbors, have identical views on developing socialism according to their own circumstances and conditions, Jiang said. Amidst the ever-changing global situation, Sino-Vietnamese friendly relations benefits the two countries, and is important for safeguarding regional and world peace and stability.

He said China is ready to keep close contacts with the Vietnamese leadership, and confer with them on major issues of common concern. China is also ready to expand economic and trade cooperation with Vietnam.

Jiang said that in the spirit of mutual understanding, both sides should reach an agreement in the demarcation of Beibu Bay within the year.

Phan described the present relations between Vietnam and China as the best they have ever been in history. He said he is confident the demarcation issue can be settled within the year as the two sides are making intense negotiations on the demarcation of the Beibu Bay and a fishing agreement.

After that, he said, the land and sea borders between Vietnam and China will have long-term peace and stability in the 21st century.

Phan praised China's reform and opening-up drive, and said Vietnam would like to learn from China's experience in its economic development.