Jiang on Development of Sino-Vietnamese Relations in New Century

Chinese, Vietnamese Presidents Hold Talks

---

President Jiang Zemin, in a meeting with Vietnamese President Tran Duc Luong Monday, December 25, stressed four points for the development of the Sino-Vietnamese relations in the new century.

First, China will continue to develop state-to-state relationship with Vietnam on the basis of the five principles of peaceful co-existence, Jiang said.

The two parties' friendly relations of cooperation should continue to be developed in accordance with the principles of independence, complete equality, mutual respect and non- interference in each other's internal affairs, he said.

Secondly, Jiang said, the two countries should maintain high-level contact as well as contact at other levels and strengthen cooperation in regional and multi-lateral international affairs.


President Jiang Welcomes Vietnamese Counterpart

---

Thirdly, he said, greater prominence should be given to the two countries' cooperation in the economic and trade and other fields.

Fourthly, Jiang said, China and Vietnam have successfully resolved problems related to land boundary, demarcation in the Beibu Bay and its related fishing issue, laying the foundation that will enable the two countries to share a border of peace, friendship and long-term stability in the new century.

However, Jiang said, in order to maintain true stability in the border areas, both sides should honor their political commitments and earnestly carry out agreements that have been reached and appropriately solve potential problems of various kinds in order to safeguard the two countries' relations.

Five Documents Signed

President Jiang Zemin and President Luong witnessed the signing ceremony of five cooperative documents after they held talks at the Great Hall of the People.

The two countries officially signed a joint statement for all-round cooperation in the new century; an agreement on the delimitation of the Beibu Bay territorial sea, the exclusive economic zone and continental shelves; as well as two inter-government agreements on the peaceful use of nuclear energy and on fishing cooperation in the Beibu Bay.

Jiang on Sino-Vietnamese Relations

President said that China is optimistic about its relations with Viet Nam.

Looking into the future, "we are full of confidence" in the constant development of the relations between the two parties and two countries, said Jiang during talks with visiting Vietnamese President Tran Luc Luong.

Jiang, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said the political foundation of the Sino-Vietnamese relations has become stronger, and the relationship is distinctly characterized by mutual respect and support.

He said the joint statement the two countries will sign is an important document to specify the direction for the further development of friendly cooperation between China and Viet Nam in various fields.

Jiang said that China has been working to develop its relations with other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and support the organization's unique role in promoting regional peace and development.

According to Jiang, the two countries have made frequent exchanges at all levels and enhanced political understanding and trust since he met with General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam Le Kha Phieu in February last year.

Economic and trade cooperation has also been expanded. Trade between China and Viet Nam has hit the set target of two billion US dollars.

President Luong said that Viet Nam has been consistently following the one-China policy. He said Viet Nam acknowledges that the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legitimate government representing all parts of China and Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory.

Jiang appreciated Viet Nam's stand on the Taiwan issue, saying that China will always support Viet Nam's efforts to safeguard its independence and sovereignty and maintain its national characteristics.