On January 5, 2012, Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, met with visiting Vietnamese National Assembly Vice Chairman Tong Thi Phong at the Great Hall of the People.

Wu said bilateral relations have maintained good momentum since the establishment of diplomatic ties especially the normalization of relations between China and Vietnam. Both sides have enjoyed frequent high-level contacts, fruitful economic and trade cooperation, deepening cooperation on defense, security and culture and close communication and coordination in international and regional issues. "China and Vietnam are both developing countries, under the leadership of communist parties, and pursue socialism. Under the complicated and changeable international situation, it is in the fundamental interests and common will of the two peoples to strengthen our unity and cooperation," he said. It is also of great significance to promoting national development and advancing the progress of the socialist cause of the two countries. He stressed that the party and government of China attach high importance to relations with Vietnam, and will work with Vietnam to strengthen high-level exchanges, enhance strategic communication and properly handle sensitive issues by proceeding from the overall interest of bilateral ties and the two countries' respective development. Both sides should also deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, expand bilateral pragmatic cooperation in trade, technology and education, and seek new opportunities for cooperation from their economic and social development strategies to improve the quality and level of cooperation. He called for increased cultural and people-to-people exchanges, especially youth exchanges to deepen mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples and push forward the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

After making positive comments on the relations between China's NPC and Vietnamese National Assembly, Wu said the in-depth development of China-Vietnam ties raises higher requirements for cooperation between the parliaments of the two countries. The two sides, on the basis of existing cooperation, should give full play to the functions and features of their legislative bodies, conduct closer friendly communication at all levels and strengthen exchange of experience on governing, democracy, legal systems and improvement of peoples' livelihood. He called on the two sides to continue to consolidate the foundation of public opinion for the development of China-Vietnam relations, and to inject new vitality into parliamentary exchanges.

Describing China as a good comrade and brother of Vietnam, Phong expressed gratitude for the long-term support given by the Chinese party, government and people to Vietnam. He said the party, government and people of Vietnam all take relations with China as a priority of Vietnam's foreign relations. The Vietnamese National Assembly will abide by this guiding principle and will contribute to the implementation of the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries and the further development of Vietnam-China friendly cooperation.