General Secretary of Chinese Communist Party Hu Jintao arrives in Vietnam today starting his three-day official visit to the communist neighbor aiming to promote Sino-Vietnam ties.
During the tour, which follows the China visit by Vietnamese President Tran Duc Luong in July, Mr Hu is due to meet with his counterpart Nong Duc Manh and President Tran Duc Luong to discuss measures to boost bilateral socio-economic relations.
Also, Hu will make an address to the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) and talk with Young Chinese and Vietnamese people on this occasion.
The Chinese highest ranking leader is accompanied by Wang Jiang, alternate member of the Central Party, Wang Jiashui, head of the Central Party External Committee, Li Zhaoxing, Trade Minister, and Wang Honing, Vice Head of National Development and Reform Committee and some other high ranking officials.
This is the third time Hu has come to Vietnam, but the first time since he became General Secretary and President of China.
Currently, President Hu is also taking the position of Chairman of Central Military Committee.
Hu was born in December 1942 in An Hui province, he joined Chinese Communist party in 1964. Before becoming a politician he was a water resource engineer.
The relationship between the two neighbors has blossomed in recent years, illustrated by regular high-level visits.
Vietnam and China expect mutual trade turnover would reach US$10 billion in 2007-2008 and US$15 billion in 2010. Trade between the two sides reached US$5.56 billion in the first eight months of this year, with Vietnam’s exports to China accounted for US$1.8 billion or 32.37 per cent.
China is the third largest country in the world with the total area of 9.59 million square km, 30times larger than Vietnam. Regarding population the country posted 1.3 billion while Vietnam has around 84 million. GDP of China last year stood at US$1.513 trillion while the figure in Vietnam was US$45.4 billion.
P.V
Vietnamese
