They will improve scientific research capabilities and creating favorable conditions for self-financed students in social and natural sciences, culture, arts and healthcare, Nhan said.

In addition to the cooperation of the countries’ education ministries, the local universities in the two countries should engage in specific cooperation, Nhan suggested.

Nhan said the two education ministries will sign a five-year cooperation agreement next year and each year, the two sides will review specific results of the cooperation.

Zhou said he wanted to enhance the two countries’ cooperation in training PhDs and gave his consent to Nhan’s proposals for further bilateral cooperation in education.

After their talks, the two ministers inked an agreement on recognizing the validity and legality of certificates and diplomas issued by the two countries’ training bodies.

Earlier that day, Nhan met with Jia Qinglin, Chairman of the People’s Political Consultative Conference, and Liu Yandong, State Councilor.

Jia Qinglin and Liu Yandong expressed their consent in strengthening cooperation between the two countries.

Last year, the two-way trade turnover between the two countries surpassed US$20 billion and the two countries completed border demarcation and landmark planting, they said, adding the two countries should strengthen bilateral cooperation in the face of the current financial crisis.

Jia spoke highly of Vietnam’s strategy on training 10,000 PhDs abroad, 1,000 of them to be trained in China, in the 12 years to come.

Source: Government website