Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh warmly welcomed Jia Qinglin, member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China Central Committee's Political Bureau, and his delegation while receiving the Chinese guests in Ha Noi.

General Secretary Manh and Jia, who is also Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, affirmed the two countries' unchanged policies to do their utmost to further promote Viet Nam-China relations under the motto "friendly neighbourliness, comprehensive cooperation, long-lasting stability, and looking forward to the future," as agreed upon by the two countries' leaders.

Jia praised the great achievements the Vietnamese people obtained in the past 20 years of renovation and expressed his belief that the 10th National Congress of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) would be a success. He said the Vietnamese people under the leadership of the CPV would gain greater achievements for the target of a rich people, a strong country, and an equitable, democratic and civilised society.

He informed General Secretary Manh of China's situation, new policies on socio-economic development, and the orientation and targets for national development in the near future.

He conveyed the best wishes of Party General Secretary and President of China Hu Jintao to General Secretary Nong Duc Manh and other Vietnamese leaders.

General Secretary Manh congratulated China on the success of the 4th session of the 10th Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. He praised the great achievements made by the Chinese people in the recent past.

The Party leader briefed the Chinese guests on Viet Nam's situation and preparations for the coming 10th Party Congress as well as its independent, open-door foreign policy of multilateralisation and diversification.

He expressed his pleasure at the fine development of relations between the two Parties, States and peoples, saying that the exchange of visits between Party and State leaders of the two countries in recent years helped lift Viet Nam-China relations to a new height, benefiting peace, stability and development in the region and the world.

General Secretary Manh asked Jia to convey his best wishes to General Secretary and President Hu Jintao and other Chinese leaders.

Earlier the same day, Jia and his delegation paid a floral tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his Mausoleum.

Later the same day, President Tran Duc Luong and Prime Minister Phan Van Khai received Jia Quinglin on separate occasions.

The two sides expressed their satisfaction at the constant development of relations between the two Parties, States and peoples in the recent past.

They agreed that the two countries should promote the exchange of visits by Party and State leaders, boosting traditional friendly ties and multifaceted cooperation in the interest of the two peoples.

President Luong said the two countries have great potential to promote cooperation not only in economy and trade but also in culture and education.

PM Khai praised China's socio-economic development in the recent past, saying that China's experiences in reform and world engagement are very useful for Viet Nam. He said he hoped that Viet Nam-China trade, worth 8 billion USD in 2005, would exceed 10 billion USD by 2010.

Jia said that Chinese Party General Secretary and President Hu Jintao will attend the 14th conference of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum leaders (APEC 14), scheduled for Ha Noi by the end of this year.

He affirmed that China would continue supporting Viet Nam's bid to join the WTO.(TTXVN)