State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan on Sunday evening met with visiting Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem.

Tang said China-Vietnam ties have made new progress thanks to the joint efforts of the two sides.

China would like to work with Vietnam to step up cooperation in politics, economy, culture and society so as to promote bilateral ties to a new high, Tang said.

Pham said the leaders of the two countries have charted a direction for the development of bilateral relations.

Vietnam will make concerted efforts with China to expand exchanges and cooperation in various fields and push forward friendly relations.

Earlier Sunday, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing held talks with Pham in the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse.

Pham is on an official visit to China from March 24 to 29.

(Xinhua News Agency March 26, 2007)