China, Viet Nam eye border of peace
By Qin Jize (China Daily)
Updated: 2005-07-19 06:02

Hu suggested furthering the Sino-Vietnamese comprehensive co-operative relationship by enhancing high-ranking exchanges, expanding trade and economic co-operation and strengthening communication between the countries' people, especially the youth.

The Vietnamese president said his country desired a faster development of co-operative relations in economy, trade, energy and transport.

At present, China is Viet Nam's second biggest trading partner. Two-way trade this year reached US$2.5 billion in April after a record high of US$6.47 billion in 2004.

Trade volume is expected to double by 2007, Luong added.

Local observers said bilateral trade relations are expanding, with more Chinese businesses from inland and coastal provinces reaching out to Viet Nam, and Vietnamese businesses also looking beyond its borders. Luong is paying a five-day visit to China, which will also take him to South China's Guangdong Province and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao told an earlier regular press conference in Beijing that the two countries are friendly with relations having developed steadily over the past few years.

Exchange and co-operation between the two countries in fields such as science, technology, education, culture and tourism are becoming more and more vibrant, Liu said.

It is reported that the Asian Development Bank, which lends money for projects in both countries, said the two sides are also working on facilitating commerce and tourism.