The relations between Vietnam and China will unceasingly move forward, said Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Khiem Thursday, ahead an official visit of the Vietnamese top party leader to China.

At the invitation of Hu Jintao, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese President, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nong Duc Manh will leave for Beijing Friday for an official visit.

During his visit, Nong Duc Manh will meet with leaders of the party and state in China and discuss with them on enhancing strategic cooperation between the two parties and countries, and exchange experiences with them on national development as well as party building, said Pham Gia Khiem, who is also Vietnamese Foreign Minister, in an interview with Xinhua Thursday.

The visit is aimed at "creating a new driving force for continuous development of Vietnam-China relations," he said, adding that it will contribute to strengthening mutual understanding and trust.

To step up the ties between the two parties and countries, the two sides should enhance cooperation in five fields, the deputy prime minister said.

First, maintaining high-level visits and meetings in many forms. Second, expanding exchange and cooperation between administration levels, localities and organizations of the two countries to enhance mutual trust and understanding.

Third, stepping up cooperation on economy, trade, investment, culture and tourism.

Fourth, resolving outstanding issues between the two countries in the spirit of negotiations, and conformity with international laws and agreements reached by their top leaders.

Fifth, enhancing education on the traditional friendship between the two peoples.

Vietnam and China share borders and have traditional friendship and the two countries are both in the process of reform and opening-up, demanding a peaceful, stable and favorable international environment, which is a "firm political foundation for Vietnam-China relations to develop unceasingly," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency May 30, 2008)