The five-day trip to China by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee (CPVCC) Nong Duc Manh starting Tuesday is a chance for the two countries to forge all-round cooperation, fetching them practical benefits, local newspaper People said in an editorial.

"The visit takes place at a time when the Vietnam-China relations are developing actively, acts as a chance for top leaders of the two parties to enhance mutual understanding and accelerate comprehensive cooperation under the principle of 'long- term stability, future orientation, good-neighborly friendship and all-round cooperation,' and the spirit of 'good neighbors, good friends, good comrades and good partners,' bringing about practical benefits," said the editorial christened "Strengthening the friendship, promoting comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and China."

Following the fine friendly and cooperative ties in the past, "the cooperation between the two countries has, in recent years, been expanded to all spheres, and deepened more and more," the editorial said.

Visits of high-ranking officials of the two countries' parties, the states and the legislatures, and exchanges of delegations among their civil organizations and localities have forged the bilateral friendship, raised mutual understanding, and shared experiences in implementing renovation and opening-up process, it said.

The trade and economic relations between Vietnam and China have developed smoothly with their two-way trade increasing 17.32 percent on-year to 4.46 billion U.S. dollars in the first half of this year. The turnover, standing at 32.23 million dollars in 1991 and 8.74 billion dollars in 2005, is expected to reach 10 billion dollars in 2006, realizing the trade target set for 2010.

The two countries are preparing for implementation of some large-scale cooperative projects to further tap their great economic potential, while fostering cooperation in such other fields as culture, education, science, technology, tourism and sports, and gradually dealing with border and territory issues left by the history, said the editorial.

Achievements of the friendly and all-round cooperative relations between Vietnam and China are fetching the two peoples practical benefits. "The fine achievements not only heightens the international status of the two nations, but makes an important contribution to beefing up cooperation and friendship among countries in Southeast Asia, the Asia-Pacific region, and the world,"the editorial stated.

"Besides, the strong development of China brings out valuable lessons for developing countries in the international integration path, making an important contributing to strengthening cooperation among countries in bilateral, regional and cross- continent frameworks, ensuring benefits of each nation," it said.

On Tuesday, local newspaper People's Army also ran an editorial which highlighted the significance of Manh's five-day official goodwill visit to China.

The visit "confirms the desire of Vietnam's party, state and people of continuing to step up the Vietnam-China comprehensive cooperation", and acts as a step in realizing Vietnam's diplomatic policy on treasuring long-established and stable international relations, "especially those with countries sharing borders like China," said the paper's editorial, entitled " Bringing Vietnam-China ties to new height", said.

Source: Xinhua