On the afternoon of May 30, 2008, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese President Hu Jintao held talks with Nong Duc Manh, Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee General Secretary, at the Great Hall of the People. Both sides spoke highly of the new progress made in the relations between the two parties and countries, agreeing that both countries should make joint efforts to develop China-Vietnam comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership under the guidance of the 16-word principle of long-term stability, orientation towards the future, good-neighborly friendship and all-round cooperation and the spirit of remaining good neighbors, friends, comrades and partners.

Hu said currently China-Vietnam relations have maintained a sound momentum of development with frequent exchanges at all levels, continuously improved consultation and cooperation mechanisms and rapidly growing economic and trade cooperation. The trade hit the target of15 billion U.S. dollars in 2007, three years earlier than scheduled. The exchanges and cooperation in all areas have been more dynamic with deepening exchange of experience on governing the party and country and enhanced mutual support and coordination in international and regional affairs. The issues left over from history between the two countries have also been gradually resolved in a proper manner.

Manh said the traditional friendly relations of "comrades plus brothers" between the two sides, which were forged and cultivated by older generations of leaders, are an invaluable treasure for the two parties, countries and peoples. It is the most important and sacred mission of both peoples of this generation to jointly cherish and safeguard the treasure and pass it from generation to generation. The CPV, the Vietnamese government and people have always attached importance to developing and consolidating solidarity and friendship, all-round cooperation and mutual trust with China. Bilateral relations have been developing continuously in recent years and have made enormous achievements, with which the Vietnamese side is delighted. Manh expressed his firm belief that it is in the fundamental interests of both sides to develop Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership based on the 16-word principle and the "four-good spirit", offer mutual support and assistance, seek common development and endeavor to build the socialist cause of the two countries, so as to make new contributions to peace, stability and development of Asia and the world at large.

Hu said to establish and develop China-Vietnam comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership in accordance with the 16-word principle and the "four-good spirit" set a direction for in-depth development of bilateral ties in the new period. He urged both sides to make joint efforts in the following five aspects. First, maintain the fine tradition of frequent exchange of visits and contact between the leaders of the two parties and countries to exchange in-depth views on issues of common concern in a timely manner. Second, give play to the guiding and coordinating role of the guiding committee for bilateral cooperation to advance all-round cooperation in all areas. Both sides should deepen exchange of experience on governing the party and country and on the theory and practice of socialism and continue to strengthen cooperation on culture, education, science and technology, agriculture and youth exchanges. Third, expand the area and scale of economic and trade cooperation. Both sides should step up efforts to map out a five-year economic and trade cooperation program, conduct the survey on the cooperation program of "Two Corridors and One Ring" to implement relevant large cooperation projects as soon as possible. Both sides should actively support businesses to carry out long-term cooperation of mutual benefits in infrastructure, manufacturing, human resources development and other major areas. Hu called for both sides to explore new growth points of bilateral ties and promote sound in-depth development of bilateral economic and trade cooperation in a fair and reasonable spirit of focusing on the overall situation, friendly consultations and mutual benefits. Fourth, properly handle problems in bilateral ties. Fifth, continue to strengthen bilateral consultations and coordination in international and regional affairs and deepen coordination and cooperation under the United Nations, World Trade Organization, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, China-ASEAN, Asia-Europe Meeting, Great Mekong Subregion and other multilateral frameworks so as to safeguard and promote peace and development of this region and the world at large.

Manh said Vietnam is ready to work with China in all-rout efforts to implement relevant consensus, continue to maintain and enhance contacts and meetings between leaders of the two parties and countries and further improve the guidance of top leaders on bilateral ties. He suggested that both sides should establish mechanisms to strengthen party exchanges and cooperation and deepen experience exchanges on governing the country. Both sides should also strengthen exchanges between non-governmental organizations, especially the youth, and conduct various propaganda and education activities on Vietnam-China traditional friendship to create a favorable social environment for the development of bilateral friendship. Manh urged both sides to enhance exchanges between the departments of the two countries, as well as cooperation on economy, trade, science, technology, culture, education and training. Vietnam welcomes China to invest in large projects in the country to promote rapid, sustainable development of Vietnam. He called on both sides to continue to inform each other on their respective major concerns in a timely and comprehensive manner based on the consensus already reached by both sides and gradually resolve problems in bilateral ties. Both sides should intensify their efforts to ensure that China and Vietnam will complete erecting markers along their land border and sign new documents on regulating the border by year end.

The two sides also briefed each other on domestic development and party building. Hu spoke highly of the efforts of the Vietnamese party, government and people in properly handling difficulties and challenges and striving to explore the development path suitable to its national realities and hailed the new achievements in the reform. Hu thanked the Vietnamese side for its firm support of China's reunification cause and its opposition to "Taiwan independence". He also appreciated sincere condolences and sympathy as well as the precious assistance offered by Vietnam to the CPC, the Chinese government and people after the Wenchuan earthquake.

Manh made positive comments on China's great achievements since its adoption of the reform and opening up policy 30 years ago, reaffirming that Vietnam supports China's reunification cause, opposes "Taiwan independence" in any form and wishes the Beijing Olympic Games a complete success. He said under the wise leadership of the CPC, the Chinese people will successfully fulfill the tasks and goals set at the 17th CPC National Congress and continue to score new success in building the socialist cause with Chinese characteristics and realizing the objective of building a well-off society in an all-round way. On behalf of the CPV, the Vietnamese government and people, he once again extended profound sympathy and sincere condolences over the heavy casualties and property losses caused by the devastating earthquake and pledged to grant an additional aid of 200, 000 U.S. dollars worth of medicine and other materials. He expressed belief that the Chinese people, under the leadership of the CPC and government, will conquer the natural disaster and rebuild homeland at an early date.

Both sides also exchanged in-depth views on international and regional issues of common concern and reached broad consensus.

Following the talks, the two leaders attended a signing ceremony of relevant cooperation agreements between the two governments.

Prior to the talks, Hu Jintao held a welcoming ceremony for Manh's visit at the Central Hall of the Great Hall of the People.

Xi Jinping, member of the Political Bureau Standing Committee of CPC Central Committee and Vice President of PRC, attended the talks and relevant activities.

Member of the Political Bureau of CPC Central Committee, Member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and Propaganda Minister of the CPC Central Committee Liu Yunshan, Member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee (CPCCC) & Director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee Ling Jihua and State Councilor Dai Bingguo attended the talks and relevant activities. Liu Qi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee, Vice Chairwoman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Zhang Rongming and Wang Jiarui, who is in charge of the relevant area, attended the relevant activities respectively.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Pham Gia Khiem, also member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, and other officials attended the talks and relevant activities.