The relationship between Vietnam and China will develop better and better in the days to come, the newly-elected General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee (CPVCC) Nong Duc Manh said on Sunday.
Manh made the remarks at a press conference here just after the closing session of the 9th National Congress of CPV.
He noted that there is a fine traditional neighboring relationship between Vietnam and China. Especially since the normalization of the relations between the two countries, the Vietnam-China friendship and cooperation have been developing smoothly.
The relationship is based on the principle of "long-term stability, orientation towards the future, good-neighborliness and friendship and all-round cooperation" set by the party leaders of China and Vietnam, Manh emphasized.
Concerning Vietnam's foreign policy, Manh reaffirmed that Vietnam will consistently implement the foreign policy of independence, sovereignty, multilization and diversification of international relations.
The new Vietnamese Party leader reiterated that Vietnam is prepared to be a friend and reliable partner of all countries in the international community, striving for peace, independence and development on the principles of respect for one another's independence, sovereignty, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit.
Vietnam will continue to expand relationship with all countries in the world regardless of political system.
However, Manh stressed that Vietnam will give the priority to developing the relationship with neighboring countries, socialist countries and countries that have traditional friendship with Vietnam.
(People's Daily 04/23/2001)
