China will work with Vietnam to push bilateral economic and trade cooperation to higher levels, said Chinese President Hu Jintao Tuesday in Hanoi.

At a meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Phan Van Khai, Hu, also general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), said the two sides should explore new ways and means with new concepts and make continued efforts to expand areas of cooperation.

Hu, noting the close political relationship between the two sides and the rapid growth of bilateral economic and trade cooperation since the beginning of the new century, said China has become Vietnam's largest trading partner and the two economies are highly complementary.

The increased bilateral economic and trade cooperation is conducive to their common development and has brought tangible benefits to the two peoples, he added.

For his part, Khai said the consensus reached between leaders of the two countries will help further strengthen bilateral mutual trust and cooperation.

Vietnam and China are both socialist countries and they should strengthen bilateral cooperation on the basis of mutual trust and reciprocity, according to Khai.

Noting the vast potential and broad prospects of economic and trade cooperation between Vietnam and China, Khai said Vietnam will join China in strengthening cooperation in investment, border trade and tourism.

Hu arrived here Monday on a three-day official goodwill visit as guest of General-Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nong Duc Manh and Vietnamese President Tran Duc Luong.

Source: Xinhua