On the afternoon of April 7, 2003, General Secretary Hu Jintao of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) held talks with General Secretary Nong Duc Manh of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam at the Great Hall of the People. The two sides had an in-depth exchange of opinions and reached broad consensus on bilateral relations between the two parties, the two countries and issues of common concern in an amiable, friendly and cordial atmosphere.

General Secretary Hu highly evaluated the relations between the two parties and countries. He noted that thanks to the efforts of both sides, Sino-Vietnamese friendly and cooperative ties have been developing in an all-around and profound way in recent years. Both sides have done substantial work and achieved a series of positive results in carrying out the important agreements that the general secretaries of the two Parties reached during their exchange of visits in 2001 and 2002. China appreciates Vietnam's stance of adhering to the One China policy and supporting China's reunification cause.

Hu pointed out that both sides should cherish the Sino-Vietnamese friendship which is the precious common wealth of the two peoples, two nations and two Parties and the result of the joint efforts by several generations from both sides.
Under the current complex and volatile international situation, it is the common desire of both sides to continue to strengthen and develop the traditional friendship and the all-round friendly cooperative relations, which also serves the fundamental interests of the two peoples. To this end, China is willing to work with Vietnam to inherit and develop the good tradition of high level mutual visits, strengthen the exchange of experience in managing the party and ruling the country, and carry out in-depth exploration on new situation and questions concerning socialist theory and practice. Hu said that guided by the principles of equality, mutual benefit, emphasis on practical results, complementarity, variety in forms and common development, the two countries should take substantial measures to lift bilateral trade and economic cooperation to a new level, consistently educate their people with the spirit of friendship from generation to generation, enhance people-to-people exchanges, especially that between young people, to foster the successor of the friendship.
He also said the two sides should strengthen coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs and build their borders into a bond of eternal peace, stability and friendship.

Hu noted that the Chinese Communist Party and government are willing to work with the Vietnamese side to cultivate the guiding principle of "long-term stability, orientation towards the future, good-neighborliness and friendship and all-round cooperation" so as to upgrade bilateral ties and ensure the two countries will be good neighbors, friends, comrades and partners forever.

Genereal Secretary Manh congratulated Hu on the successful convention of the 16th CPC National Congress and on his election as General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee. He said that the two peoples and the two nations have always supported each other and forged a friendship of "comrade and brother" in socialist revolution and construction. Thanks to concerted efforts, the friendship between the two countries has developed smoothly in all fields and the successful settlement of the border issue not only conforms to the fundamental interests of the two countries but also contributes to regional peace and stability.

Manh said he totally agreed with Hu's evaluation of China-Vietnam relations and noted that Vietnam would go all out for the further development of bilateral relations. He said Vietnam maintained that the high-level contacts between the leaders of both parties of various forms should be carried on. He encouraged various departments and parties to play an active role in conducting friendly exchanges. He also suggested that discussion on socialist theories between both sides should be intensified and economic and trade cooperation expanded. He reiterated that Vietnam would adhere to the principle of One China and never have any official contact with Taiwan.

The two leaders briefed each other on the domestic situation in their respective countries. Hu praised Vietnam's achievements in reform, opening-up and economic construction. He said that China believes that under the leadership of Manh, the Vietnamese people will build their country into an affluent, strong, fair, democratic and civilized industrial socialist nation. Hu briefed the Vietnamese guests about the major task of CPC and strengthening and improving of the Party building since the 16th CPC Congress.  

Manh highly evaluated China's tremendous achievements in its reform and opening-up, saying Vietnam will learn from China's successful experience and strengthen exchanges of views in Party building.

They also exchanged views on some significant regional and international issues. Hu told Manh of China's consistent stance on the Iraq issue and the nuclear issue in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). He said that peace and development are still the main trends of the times and the common aspiration of the world people, and multipolarization and economic globalization are still developing, although in a zigzag way. Therefore, countries should strengthen exchanges, seek cooperation, promote development and work for the co-existence of different civilizations and development patterns. He stressed that despite the changing conditions in international circumstances, China will stick to its independent foreign policy of peace, safeguard world peace, promote common development and work unremittingly for a just and rational new international political and economic order.

Manh said the world situation is very complicated. Regardless of the result, the ongoing war in Iraq will exert a negative impact on international relations and further destabilize the world economic prospect. Vietnam has always stood for a peaceful solution to international conflicts and will work actively for regional peace, stability and development while unswervingly sticking to the all-dimensional and diversified diplomatic strategy.