VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam always attached importance to strengthening and developing the traditional friendship and comprehensive co-operation with China for the mutual benefits of both sides as well as peace and development of the region.

Nation Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung made that statement while receiving newly-accredited Chinese Ambassador to Viet Nam Kong Xuanyou in Ha Noi yesterday, Jan 16.

Hung said that both sides should boost the implementation of joint agreements signed by high-ranking leaders and strive to maintain and develop the invaluable asset which in this case was the long-lasting friendship between two countries.

Agreeing with the ambassador's suggestion that the two countries should tighten their partnership to cope with global-scale challenges together, Hung said Viet Nam and China should promote their partnership at the provincial level, particularly in provinces on the shared border.

Ambassador Kong said the two countries should strengthen solidarity and address the issues which the two sides held different perspectives on and co-operate to cope with challenges from outside while pushing relations between the two countries to a new height.

He expressed his wish that both sides would advance the exchange of visits between legislative bodies.

UN co-ordinator

Also yesterday afternoon, NA Chairman Hung received newly-accredited United Nations Resident Co-ordinator in Viet Nam Pratibha Mehta.

Hung expressed his belief that with her capacity and reputation, Mehta would help strengthen the partnership between Viet Nam and UN agencies.

He said as part of the country's comprehensive reform and in order to help Viet Nam fulfil its obligations to the international community, the National Assembly was undertaking studies to make necessary amendments to the Constitution that would better serve the new period of development.

"The National Assembly is striving to refine its constitutional framework to make it easier for deeper integration into the global economy," he said.

Hung said the assembly was also working toward strengthening its supervisory role and helping to execute important national programmes while boosting partnerships with foreign counterparts.

For her part, Mehta said she was glad to see a tighter and more efficient partnership between the United Nations and Viet Nam.

She said Viet Nam had made much progress toward hitting the Millennium Development Goals and affirmed that the United Nations would support Viet Nam in the poverty reduction process, constitutional reform and other legal activities.

Also yesterday, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung received Swiss Ambassador to Viet Nam Andrej Motyl.

* Party General Secretary visits Binh Dinh for Tet

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong has extended his best wishes to the authorities and people of the central province of Binh Dinh on the occasion of the upcoming Tet festival.

During his visit to the province yesterday, Trong expressed his delight at the locality's development, in particular the increasingly improved living conditions of the people and the reduction of poor households.

He praised the province for implementing social welfare policies efficiently and providing assistance to poor households, the elderly, the disabled and the victims of Agent Orange/dioxin.

On the same day, Trong visited and congratulated the authorities and people of Nhon Loc Commune, one of the four model communes of newly-styled rural areas in Binh Dinh.

Earlier on Sunday, Trong visited Quang Trung Museum, laid a wreath at the Emperor Quang Trung monument and offered incense at the Tay Son Temple, which is dedicated to the three brothers of the Tay Son family.

He also visited and presented gifts to poor households and veterans in the locality.

Deputy Prime Ministers Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Nguyen Thien Nhan also paid Tet visits yesterday to the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak and the Mekong Delta province of Ca Mau.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News