Vietnamese party leader returns home from visit to China

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, Nong Duc Manh, arrived in Hanoi Saturday after concluding a five-day official goodwill visit to China.

During the visit, Manh held talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao and met with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China Wu Bangguo.

The two sides discussed issues of common concern, including those on strengthening their friendly relations and multifaceted cooperation. They agreed to further boost trade, properly handle border issues and enhance security cooperation.

Besides Beijing, Manh visited some other Chinese cities, including Dalian of northeastern Liaoning Province, and Nanning, capital of southwest Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

The visit to China is Manh's first overseas trip since he was re-elected general secretary in April.

The two-way trade between China and Vietnam, which stood at 8.2 billion U.S. dollars in 2005, is expected to reach 10 billion dollars in 2006, according to the Chinese Commerce Ministry.

Source: Xinhua