Chinese President Jiang Zemin left Beijing Wednesday morning for an "official goodwill visit" to neighbouring Vietnam.
Jiang's entourage for the trip included his wife Wang Yeping, Vice Premier Qian Qichen, head of the Organization Department of CPC Central Committee Zeng Qinghong, and some other senior officials.
Premier Zhu Rongji, Vice-President Hu Jintao, and some other high-ranking Chinese officials see Jiang off at the Great Hall of the People Wednesday Morning.
On Tuesday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Kong Quan said Jiang's three-day visit would have "great significance and a profound influence on bilateral ties".
Jiang was invited by General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nong Duc Manh and Vietnamese President Tran Duc Luong.
(China Daily February 27, 2002)
