On May 20th 2004, Premier Wen Jiabao of the State Council held talks with Prime Minister of Vietnam Mr. Phan Van Khai at the Great Hall of the People, who had just arrived in Beijing at noon for a formal visit to China. The two sides exchanged views in depth on China-Vietnam relations and issues of common interest.
Wen Jiabao made positive comments on China-Vietnam relations. He said that under the guidance of the guideline of "long-term stability, future orientation, good neighborliness and comprehensive cooperation", China and Vietnam have deepened their political mutual trust, increasingly expanded cooperation in different areas and increased support for and coordination with each other in international affairs. As a result, their bilateral relations are showing good momentum of development.
Wen noted that since China and Vietnam are close neighbors, to build on and further develop the traditional friendly relations between China and Vietnam is the common aspiration of both countries and peoples and serves the fundamental interests of both sides. The Chinese government cherishes China-Vietnam relations and would like to make joint efforts with the Vietnamese side to bring the good-neighborly and friendly relations of cooperation between the two countries to a higher level. To that end, China has the following proposals to make: First, the two sides should enhance top-level exchanges and bring their political relations even closer. Second, the two sides should deepen their all-round and multi-sphere economic and trade cooperation so as to realize the goal of doubling their bilateral trade volume by 2010. Third, the two sides should expand local and civil exchanges, conduct cooperation through multiple channels and cement the civil basis of the traditional friendship between the two countries. Fourth, the two sides should proceed from the overall perspective and properly address the problems existing in their relations.
Phan Van Khai said that this third visit to China had enabled him to compare the new and remarkable progress made by China in its reform and opening programs with what he saw during his last visit four years ago. The Vietnamese government and people are pleased with this new development from the bottom of heart. Vietnam-China relations are developing in an all-round and in-depth manner under the guidance of the guideline set by the two sides. To consolidate and promote the comprehensive friendship and cooperation with China is a firm and long-term policy of the Vietnamese Party and government and conforms completely to the fundamental interests of the two peoples.
Phan Van Khai added that the economies of Vietnam and China are highly complementary and boast great potentials for cooperation. Vietnam will take concrete steps to make China its largest trading partner as early as possible. Vietnam would like to see more and more Chinese businesses to invest and set up factories in Vietnam.
During the talks, the two sides updated each other on their respective domestic situations. Wen congratulated Vietnam on the achievements it has made in economic and social development. He said that both China and Vietnam are developing countries and both are engaged in reform and opening programs or innovation and opening programs. Therefore, the two sides should enhance exchanges and change their respective experience into wealth shared by the two sides so as to help improve and develop socialism continuously.
Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, Minister of Finance Jin Renqing, Minister of Commerce Bo Xilai, and Vietnamese Minister of Trade Truong Dinh Tuyen, Minister of Transport Dao Dinh Binh, Minister of Construction Nguyen Hong Quan, Minister of Science and Technology Hoang Van Phong attended the talks.
Prior to the talks, Wen held a welcoming ceremony for Phan Van Khai at the square outside the East Gate of the Great Hall of the People. Vice Chairman Wan Exiang of the Central Committee of the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang and some other personages attended the ceremony.