Chinese Vice-President Zeng Qinghong met in Beijing Thursday afternoon with Vietnamese Minister of Public Security Le Hong Anh.

Zeng, also member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, pointed to the traditional friendship and the firm foundation for cooperation between the two countries.

He expressed China's gratification with the increasing contacts between the two parties and the two countries in politics, economy and culture.

He went on to say that exchanges and cooperation between public security departments of the two countries have been strengthened and resulted in highly effective fights against crimes concerning the two sides.

The cooperative agreement signed between the two sides will push forward their cooperation, added Vice-President Zeng.

Le Hong Anh, also member of the Political Bureau of the Vietnamese Communist Party Central Committee, said that Vietnam attaches vital importance to its friendship and cooperation with China and will further strengthen bilateral exchanges and cooperation in the public security field.

Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Zhou Yongkang and Le Hong Anh held talks here Thursday afternoon and they signed an agreement on establishing cooperation mechanism between the two ministries.
 
(Xinhua News Agency September 19, 2003)