Top leaders met with Vietnamese President Tran Duc Luong in Beijing Tuesday and the two sides agreed to deepen parliamentary and trade relations.

Wu Bangguo, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, met with Tran at the Great Hall of the People.

Wu said China attaches great importance to its relationship with Vietnam and hopes to deepen the relationship from a strategic perspective.

The top legislator said parliaments of the two countries should increase exchanges for the further development of state-to-state relations.

In a separate meeting, Premier Wen Jiabao said China has made it a long-term policy to develop friendly ties and seek common prosperity with Vietnam.

"China is ready to work with Vietnam to implement the consensus reached by leaders of the two countries and conduct long-term trade and economic cooperation in the spirit of mutual benefit," Wen said.

He also hoped that the two sides would quicken the process of land border demarcation and start joint developments as early as possible in the Beibu Bay and the South China Sea.

Tran said Vietnam hopes to strengthen its comprehensive cooperative relationship with China as the two celebrated the 55th anniversary of the establishment of their full diplomatic relations.

President Hu Jintao held formal talks with Tran Monday after his arrival. Hu put forward four-point proposal to further Sino-Vietnamese ties, including promoting high-level contacts and trade, proper handling border issue, and increasing exchange in nongovernmental arena.

Tran said in his meeting with Wu and Wen that Vietnam hopes to develop closer relations with China in areas of trade, tourism, culture, education and sports.

In addition, he said Vietnam will promote cooperation with China to jointly develop the Beibu Bay and the South China Sea in accordance with the consensus reached by both sides.

(Xinhua News Agency July 20, 2005)