China and Vietnam pledge to improve ties

BEIJING – China’s President, Xi Jinping, and the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Nguyen Phu Trong, have “pledged to cement the traditional friendship and boost the comprehensive strategic co-operative partnership between the two countries during talks on Tuesday”, according to China’s State-owned newsagency, Xinhua.

“Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said the China-Vietnam traditional friendship is precious wealth shared by the two parties, the two nations and the people of the two countries, worthy of being cherished and taken good care of,” Xinhua reported.
“Recalling their mutual support between the two nations since their fight for national independence, Xi said reciprocal cooperation has brought substantial benefit for the people of the two countries, which also help to promote peace, development and prosperity in the region.

“China and Vietnam share extensive common interests, and friendship and cooperation have remained the primary theme of the bilateral ties, said the Chinese leader. Xi proposed the two sides always bear in mind the overall situation of China-Vietnam friendship as well as their development, respect each other, consult with each other in a friendly way, seek common ground while shelving differences, and control their disputes to ensure that the bilateral relationship will develop in a right track.”  www.webershandwick.cn (ATI).