General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Tronghosted a reception in Hanoi on June 10 for Secretary of GuangxiZhuang Autonomous Region’s Party Committee Peng Qinghua, who is on aworking visit to Vietnam from June 9-12.

At themeeting, General Secretary Trong spoke highly of Guangxi’s achievementsin its open-door policy over the past 30 years, affirming that Guangxi,contiguous to Vietnam, holds a time-honoured friendship andcooperation with Vietnamese localities.

He expressedhis hope that in the time to come, the two sides continue to expandexchanges, improving cooperation efficiency in all fields and building aborderline of peace, friendship and development, thus contributing toboosting the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperativepartnership for the two peoples’ benefits.

For hispart, Peng affirmed that the regional Party Committee and authoritiesattach importance to developing the traditional friendship andcooperation in all areas with Vietnam, especially in transport linksand trade, and through Vietnam, with the ASEAN.

The same day, the Chinese guest was received by Prime Minister NguyenTan Dung, who stressed that Vietnam attaches importance to fosteringmultifaceted cooperation with China and said he hopes Chinacontinues joining hands with Vietnam to deepen the two countries’relations.

PM Dung highly valued the outcomes of theworking sessions between Peng Qinghua and leaders of northern Lang Sonand Quang Ninh provinces, saying that his visit to Vietnam this timewill contribute practically to the relationship between Guangxi andVietnamese localities in particular, and between the two nations ingeneral.

China is now one of Vietnam’sleading investors and trade partners. However, the two countries stillhave potential to expand cooperation, especially in economics, trade andinvestment.

The Vietnamese Government leader alsosuggested China and Guangxi in particular increase theirscholarships to give more Vietnamese students a chance to study inChina, as well as work closely with Vietnam’s border localities tocontrol the two countries’ joint border.

PengQinghua said that his visit aims to accelerate cooperation betweenGuangxi and Vietnamese localities, particularly in economics, trade,investment, culture, education-training and tourism.

He suggested the two nations invest more in building transport routeslinking their localities as well as border trade and border gateeconomic zones, and expressed his hope that Vietnam will continuecreating favourable conditions for Guangxi’s businesses to invest inVietnam.

The Guangxi leader was also welcomed by Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh on the same day.

Minh said that Guangxi and Vietnam’s localities should perfecttheir existing cooperation mechanisms and strengthen cooperation in apractical and effective manner in the fields they hold advantages.

In 2013, Guangxi will organise the 10th ASEAN-China Expo, Peng said,adding that he hopes this event will help boost the relationshipbetween China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations,including Vietnam.

The China-VietnamComprehensive Economic and Trade Forum and the 2013 Guangxi Trade Fairwere also held within the framework of Peng’s visit to Vietnam at theinvitation of FM Pham Binh Minh.-VNA