A Chinese leader made four proposals in Hanoi Tuesday for strengthening the friendly and cooperative relations between China and Vietnam.

Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), put forth the proposals when meeting with Vietnamese president Tran Duc Luong.

First, continue maintaining exchanges of high-ranking delegations between China and Vietnam, laying firm political foundation for developing bilateral relations in a substantial manner.

Second, further foster economic and trade ties, especially cooperation on key spheres, and expand cooperation scale.

Third, promote cooperation mechanisms in different fields, including diplomacy and security, broaden and deepen exchange of experiences in party and state management, and beef up friendly exchange between youths and teenagers of China and Vietnam, making the firm friendship between the two parties, states and peoples last forever.

Fourth, facilitate the process of defining land borderlines, promote oil and gas exploration and exploitation and fisheries cooperation in the Beibu Gulf, and joint tapping of the South China Sea so that the two sides will make active progress on the fields.

Jia said China and Vietnam are both socialist countries which are speeding up reform and development and they have broad common interests. Ceaselessly stepping up bilateral relations accords with the basic interests of the two countries and is beneficial to regional peace and stability.

He said the relations between the two parties and the two countries have made new progress in the new century with frequent exchange of high-ranking delegations maintained, mutual political trust ceaselessly enhanced, continuous new progress seen in cooperation on economy and trade, and exchange and cooperation on various fields promoted.

He said China and Vietnam have also maintained close coordination and consultation in regional and international issues. The successful visit of Chinese president Hu Jintao to Vietnam in 2005 has defined important guiding principles for the development of the ties between the two parties and the two countries in the new century. The friendly and cooperative relations between China and Vietnam have entered a new stage.

Jia said China agrees with and supports Vietnam's party and government who have adopted the one-China policy, opposing Taiwan authorities' separatist movement in any forms.

Luong said last year is of special significance to the ties between the two parties and the two countries. The successful visit by Hu to Vietnam has brought the relations to a new height.

Luong said Vietnam's party and government will inherit and promote the friendship of the two countries, increase mutual trust with China, expand cooperation in such fields as economy, trade, investment, culture and education, beef up cooperation on defining land borders, and cooperation relating to the Beibu Gulf, and joint exploitation of the South China Sea, and unceasingly step up relations between the two parties and the two countries.

Vietnam wants, together with China, to strive to accelerate the construction of the China-ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Free Trade Area and the East Asian cooperation process, Luong said.

Luong stressed that Vietnam's party and government cling to the one-China policy, opposing separatist movement in any forms of Taiwan authorities. He said his country's stance remains unchanged.

Jia is here for a visit from March 20 to 24.

Source: Xinhua