In the atmosphere of friendship, frankness and openness, the two leaders informed each other of their countries' recent internal and external affairs. They reviewed widespread relations between the two countries since the visit to Viet Nam by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in October 2004; had in-depth discussions on major orientations and measures to further boost bilateral friendship and multi-faceted cooperation; and talked about regional and international issues of mutual concern.

President Hu welcomed President Luong's official visit to China, emphasizing its special significance as the two countries are celebrating the 55th anniversary of diplomatic ties. The Chinese leader described the visit as an important event, taking bilateral friendship and comprehensive cooperation to a new heights of development.

He applauded the achievements recorded by the Vietnamese people under the leadership of the Communist Party of Viet Nam during the renewal process and in preparation for the 10th National Party Congress scheduled for the first half of 2006.

President Luong expressed thanks to the Chinese leaders and people for extending a warm welcome to the Vietnamese delegation and spoke highly of the great successes obtained by the Chinese people under the leadership of the Communist Party of China during the course of reform, exercising an openness policy and building a socialist nation with Chinese characteristics, which helped raise China's prestige in the international arena.

The Vietnamese leader affirmed the Party, Government and people of Viet Nam attach great importance to their neighbourly relations and all-round cooperation with China and will strive together with the Party, Government and people of China to take bilateral friendship and comprehensive cooperation to an unprecedented height.

The two leaders expressed satisfaction at the fine development of bilateral ties, which have been expanded to various domains and have brought in practical benefits for both sides. They shared a common understanding in a series of important issues. The increasingly frequent exchange of visits between high-level leaders of the two countries has become a special impetus for building, strengthening and bolstering mutual trust between the two Parties and States, helping bilateral relations develop in a stable and long-lasting manner in the spirit of the guidelines "friendly neighbourliness, comprehensive cooperation, long-lasting stability, and future orientation" and treat each other as a "good neighbour, good friend, good comrade, and good partner".

The two sides declared the conclusion of bilateral negotiations on Viet Nam's admission to the World Trade Organisation. President Luong thanked and highly valued the strong support the Chinese government has given to Viet Nam. He said he was confident that the move would open up new cooperative prospects in various domains, particularly in trade and economy, between the two countries.

The two sides applauded a surge in two-way trade, which has paved the way for Viet Nam and China to register bilateral trade worth 10 billion USD per year prior to 2010.

In order to create a new driving force for economic and commercial ties, the two leaders were of the same view that the two nations should exercise bold measures to drastically reduce Viet Nam's trade deficit while expanding bilateral commercial ties.

The two Presidents exchanged views on a series of large-scale economic cooperation projects between Viet Nam and China.

Luong thanked and lauded China's effective assistance to and cooperation with Viet Nam, stressing that the country is ready to cooperate with Chinese partners in developing infrastructure facilities, mineral mining, and electricity generation on a long-term and mutual beneficial basis.

The two sides expressed joy at the signing of accords on bilateral cooperation projects during the visit. Those projects marked a new step of development in economic cooperation between Viet Nam and China.

Both Presidents applauded the positive outcome of the first meeting between the two countries' expert groups on building "two corridors, one economic belt", saying its implementation will vigorously boost cooperation between the two countries, first of all between border provinces and localities along the Tonkin Gulf in a series of areas such as trade, agriculture, industry, tourism, transport and communication. The cooperation is expected to help form a huge cooperation space between the two countries.

They made a positive assessment of the progress in land border demarcation and border mark planting and expressed their determination to resolve outstanding issues so as to complete the land border mark planting along their common border by 2008 at the latest.

The two leaders spoke highly of the serious implementation of the Tonkin Gulf Demarcation Agreement and the Fisheries Agreement, saying that the two pacts have helped maintain security and order in the Tonkin Gulf area. They also agreed to conduct a joint patrol in the Tonkin Gulf and a survey on aquatic resources in the common fishing area between now and the end of the year, and to start up negotiations on the demarcation of the area outside the Tonkin Gulf in the second half of 2005.

They affirmed the two nations would closely coordinate and cooperate in carrying out the above-said agreements, the minutes of the special meeting between deputy foreign ministers of the two countries on August 8, 2004 and other relevant agreements effectively so as to make the Sino-Vietnamese border into one of peace, friendship, and long-lasting stability for mutual development. The two leaders also affirmed to maintain the stable situation in the East Sea and to refrain themselves from any actions that might make the situation more complicated.

The two sides made a positive evaluation on bilateral coordination at multi-lateral bodies such as the United Nations, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, the Asia-Europe Meeting, and the Greater Mekong Sub-region. They pledged to further efforts in building a new international political order, which is more equal and rational. They were of the same view that the reform of the United Nations and its Security Council must lead to the strengthened role by and increased efficiency of the UN in maintaining peace and international security as well as boosting the common development of its member states.

After the talks, the two sides signed a number of economic cooperation agreements and will release a joint communique at the end of President Luong's five-day visit till July 22.