Li calls for closer China-Vietnam parliamentary exchanges

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said in Hanoi on Monday that his country is ready to work with Vietnam to boost bilateral parliamentary and people-to-people exchanges and cooperation. [Special coverage]

Li made the remarks in separate meetings with Nguyen Sinh Hung, chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly, and Vu Xuan Hong, chairman of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO).

While meeting with Hung, Li said China and Vietnam are important neighbors and partners, and the National People's Congress of China has long kept close exchanges and cooperation with the Vietnamese National Assembly.

Beijing, he said, stands ready to cooperate with Hanoi to maintain high-level strategic communication, promote bilateral comprehensive practical cooperation, and handle their differences properly, so as to ensure a healthy and steady development of bilateral relations.

Noting that he and Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung agreed to simultaneously advance maritime, onshore and financial cooperation between the two nations, Li expressed the hope that the Vietnamese parliament will support the consensus and help further promote bilateral relations.

Hung, for his part, said Li's visit opened a new chapter in bilateral ties. He added that the three-track approach accords with the wishes and interests of both nations, and the Vietnamese side is willing to join hands with China to fully implement relevant agreements.

The Vietnamese parliament, he added, is ready to expand exchanges and cooperation with its Chinese counterpart and play a contributive role in promoting the development of bilateral relations.

He urged relevant organizations of the two countries to help pass on the bilateral friendship to more people and future generations so as to keep the tree of China-Vietnam friendship green forever.

Hong, for his part, congratulated Li for his successful visit, saying those Vietnamese dedicated to bilateral friendship will continue to work for the development of Vietnam-China relations.

Vietnam is the last leg of Li's ongoing first Southeast Asia tour as premier, which has taken him to Brunei and Thailand. While in Brunei, he attended a series of East Asian leaders' meetings and expounded China's policy on promoting regional cooperation and development.