Mr Hu made the statement while receiving Nguyen Van Tho, the newly accredited Vietnamese ambassador to China, in Beijing on September 19.

Mr Hu said that traditional friendship between Vietnam and China, which was fostered by the late Presidents Mao Zedong and Ho Chi Minh and generations of other leaders of the two countries, has developed constantly, meeting the aspiration of the two Parties, States and people, and for the sake of peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the rest of the world.

He said that during an official visit to China in May 2008 by Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh and another visit to Beijing for the Olympics Games in August 2008 by State President Nguyen Minh Triet, leaders of the two countries reached a consensus on building a comprehensive and strategic cooperation partnership between China and Vietnam. 

He told Mr Tho that the land border demarcation work, which is expected to be completed by the end of this year, will be an important event, contributing to building a common borderline of peace, friendship and cooperation.

Mr Hu said he is expected to welcome Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung in Beijing in October for the Asia-Europe Summit. He said he will make a visit to Vietnam at an appropriate time at the invitation of Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh and State President Nguyen Minh Triet.

Mr Tho said that Mr Dung’s upcoming visit to China will help concretise the two countries’ comprehensive strategic partnership. He vowed to try his best to promote the relations of friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and China.