Xu Jialu, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), the national legislature, met in Beijing Wednesday with a delegation led by Vietnamese Minister of Culture and Information Le Doan Hop.

The Chinese Communist Party, government and people attach great importance to developing friendly and cooperative relations with Vietnam, Xu said, noting that China and Vietnam are good neighbors, good friends and good partners.

The Chinese government will keep to the principle of friendly neighborhood, comprehensive cooperation, long-term stability, Xu said.

Le Doan Hop said the Vietnamese government is ready to beef up cultural exchanges and cooperation with China to strengthen the understanding and friendship between the two peoples.

(Xinhua News Agency June 14, 2007)