Li Peng, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the nation's top legislative body, met with several Vietnamese leaders while on a three-day visit in the neighbor nation.

Li met with Vietnamese Premier Phan Van Khai, Vietnamese President Tran Duc Luong, Communist Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh and former General Secretary Le Kha Phieu on the trip.

Increasingly consolidated bilateral co-operation is helpful to China and Viet Nam, both socialist countries that share common ideals and goals, Li said.

Li said he was delighted to see the relationship blossom thanks to a long-term, stable and good neighborly effort.

Le Kha Phieu and Chinese President Jiang Zemin set up this path in 1999 with the settlement of the borders across land and across the Beibu Gulf as well as an agreement on fishery co-operation in the Beibu Gulf, Li noted.

The Vietnamese appreciate China's historic support during their struggle for national liberation, independence and reunification, Nong Duc Manh said.

He said Viet Nam firmly supports China's position on the Taiwan issue, viewing the island province as an inalienable part of China.

Enhanced relations between Viet Nam and China not only benefit the two peoples but also contribute to the peace, stability and development of the region, Nong Duc Manh said.

Li told Nong Duc Manh that Jiang looks forward to meeting with him in Beijing later this year. Nong Duc Manh also is excited about the visit.

Tran Duc Luong said he hopes the two countries will enhance exchanges and co-operation in culture, education, tourism and sports, in addition to economic ties.

Li noted that trade between the nations continues to break records, with bilateral trade exceeding US$2.4 billion last year and keeping up the growth pace in the first half of 2001.

Phan Van Khai said he was satisfied Viet Nam will continue to become increasingly popular for Chinese tourists and that Vietnamese continue to enjoy exploring China, too.

Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, is visiting Viet Nam at the invitation of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam and the Standing Committee of the Vietnamese Congress.

(Chinadaily.com.cn 09/10/2001 )