China vows to boost ties with Vietnam along correct path

HANOI, Dec. 25 -- China's top political advisor Yu Zhengsheng vowed in Hanoi on Thursday to enhance high-level exchanges with Vietnam and promote bilateral ties along a correct path.

Yu, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, made the remarks while meeting with Le Hong Anh, a Politburo member and standing secretary of the Secretariat of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee.

Yu arrived in Hanoi earlier on Thursday for a three-day official visit to Vietnam.He spoke positively of Le Hong Anh's latest visit to China in August as special envoy of the CPV Central Committee General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, adding the visit has contributed significantly to the improvement of China- Vietnam ties.

High-level exchanges between the two ruling parties had played a leading role in the development of bilateral relations, Yu said.

"My current visit to Vietnam, commissioned by the CPC Central Committee and General Secretary Xi Jinping, aims to enhance mutual trust, build consensus and boost progress of China-Vietnam relations in a correct path," he said.

China is willing to enhance communication with Vietnam, and deal with bilateral ties from a strategic view and long-term perspective, Yu added.

Le Hong Anh, for his part, recalled his visit to China which he said had achieved positive progress. He said both sides have the responsibility to inherit and carry forward their traditional friendship fostered by the older generations of their leaders, such as late Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh and late Chairman Mao Zedong of the CPC Central Committee.

Vietnam hopes to further enhance high-level contacts with China, boost non-governmental exchanges and cooperation in various areas, he said.

He called on both sides to implement the consensus reached between their senior leaders regarding maritime issues, and properly settle their differences.

Le Hong Anh expected Yu's visit to further push forward bilateral all-round strategic cooperation partnership.

Yu is visiting Hanoi from Thursday to Saturday at the invitation of the CPV Central Committee and the Fatherland Front of Vietnam.