Vietnam consistent in fostering friendship with China

Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnam consistently and constantly fosters friendship with China
, aiming to make the two countries good neighbours, good friends, good comrades and
good partners, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung affirmed.

The Prime Minister made the statement while meeting with visiting Senior Lieutenant
General Chen Bingde, Chief of the General Staff of the China People's Liberation
Army, in Hanoi on March 24.

Senior Lieutenant General Chen Bingde has been on Vietnam visit from March 20 at
the invitation of the Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army,
Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Khac Nghien.

PM Dung said the visit would contribute to boosting relations between the two
national defence ministries, as well as friendship and cooperation between the two
peoples.

He stressed that the Vietnamese Party, State and people always keep in mind valuable
assistance from Chinese people during the past two resistance wars for national
independence and are determined to enhance relations with China following the
spirit of the two countries' leaders.

Senior Lieutenant General Chen Bingde said the two peoples have the traditional
friendship fostered by late President Ho Chi Minh and President Mao Zedong and
this visit would strengthen the "comprehensive strategic partnership" between
China and Vietnam .

As the two countries have similar cultural characteristics and long-lasting
friendship, the two should boost solidarity and educate young generations about
their fine traditions, contributing to bringing happiness, stability and peace for
the two nations, the Chinese senior army officer said.

He added that in the context of the global financial crisis, the two countries need
to cooperate to overcome challenges and gain greater achievements.-Enditem