VietNamNet Bridge – Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, his wife and a high-ranking government delegation arrived in Beijing on October 21 for their official friendship visit to China and the 7th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) at the invitation of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.

In an interview granted to a Radio Voice of Vietnam reporter, Mr Hu said that China attaches great importance to PM Dung’s visit and anticipates that it will be a success as a contribution to further strengthening China-Vietnam friendship and cooperation.

China hopes that both countries will promote joint coordination within the framework of ASEM 7.

On October 22, Mr Dung is scheduled to visit a number of key economic and cultural establishments in Beijing. In the afternoon of the same day, a red-carpet welcoming ceremony for Mr Dung will be held at the Great Hall of the People. After the welcoming ceremony, PM Dung will have talks with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and meet with the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and President Hu Jintao.

Earlier on the morning of October 21, PM Nguyen Tan Dung attended the Vietnam-China Economic Forum in Haikou City, Hainan Province as part of his official friendship visit to China.

The forum was held by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) in collaboration with the Hainan provincial people’s administration, drawing the participation of more than 200 entrepreneurs from Vietnam and Hainan Province.

Addressing the forum, Mr Dung expressed his delight at the strong development of comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and China in recent times.

Last year, two-way trade turnover rapidly increased to more than US$15 billion and is expected to hit US$21 billion this year.

China is Vietnam’s top bilateral trade partner and businesses from Hainan Province have positively contributed to bringing effective cooperation between the two countries, Mr Dung stressed.

With the set target of raising two-way trade turnover to more than US$25 billion by 2010, The Vietnamese Government wants to further boost cooperation with Hainan Province, particularly in trade, investment, tourism, maritime transport, aviation, shipping and agro-forestry and aquatic product processing.

The Vietnamese Government leader also lauded Hainan Province’s proposal to promptly firm up mechanisms for bilateral economic and trade cooperation, accelerate the opening of maritime transport routes and the development of aviation and tourism and create positive conditions for businesses from both sides to further promote cooperation.

On the occasion, Mr Dung witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on economic and trade cooperation between the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Hainan provincial people’s administration.

(Source: VOV)