China is set on continuously consolidating and developing the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership with Vietnam, said Wan Gang, Vice Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

He made the statement when receiving a visiting Vietnamese delegation led by Pham Van Chuong, deputy head of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO), in Bejing on December 9. The Vietnamese delegation visited China to attend the 8th Vietnam-China people’s forum in Hangzhou city, Zhejiang province.

Wan Gang praised the organisation and outcomes of the forum.

He shared his impression from a recent visit to Vietnam in November when he had a chance to witness the strong growth of the country and tour the house of the late President Ho Chi Minh.

Wan hailed the contributions made by Ho Chi Minh to his nation and for Vietnam – China relations, saying Chinese people always have respect for him.

He also talked about his meeting with Minister of Science and Technology Chu Ngoc Anh on promoting bilateral scientific cooperation, particularly exchanges between Vietnamese and Chinese scientists.

He said he is glad to see Chinese businessmen successfully operating in Vietnam and the growth of bilateral tourism.

For his part, Pham Van Chuong stressed his commitment to work with the Chinese side in cementing the friendship between the two peoples.

Both sides agreed to promote initiatives and exchange activities that aim to boost mutual understanding and amity for security and peace in the region and in the world.

The same day, the Vietnamese delegation was welcomed with a banquet hosted by Li Xiaolin, President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.

Li said she is pleased with upbeat progress recorded in bilateral ties and regular exchanges between high-ranking leaders of the two countries.

She appreciated the contributions of the VUFO to people-to-people exchanges in recent years, particularly the organisation of an exhibition on President Ho Chi Minh and a youth exchange festival in conjunction with a visit to Vietnam of Zhang Dejiang, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China.

She said she will work closely with the Vietnamese side in organising activities marking 67 years of Vietnam-China ties in January next year.

The 8th Vietnam-China people’s forum took place from December 5 to 8, with discussion focusing on 25 years since the normalization of friendship relations as well as measures to enhance mutual understanding, control disputes at sea and  bolster result-oriented cooperation.-VNA