Jiang noted that Premier Zhu Rongji and Phan Van Khai had held very good talks the day before and broad consensus had been reached during the talks, adding that Phan's visit will contribute to the development of good-neighborly friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries. He also said that the close contacts and frequent exchange of views on bilateral relations and international issues between leaders of the two countries in various forms have helped increase mutual understanding and trust. Good momentum has presented itself in the relations between the two countries and two parties. Bilateral contacts have been very frequent and the mutually-beneficial cooperation in economic, trade and other fields has been deepening.
China is satisfied with the current Sino-Vietnamese relations.
Jiang went on to say that China and Vietnam, two close neighbors, have identical views on developing socialism according to their own circumstances and conditions. He said China is ready to keep close contacts with the Vietnamese leadership, and confer with them on major issues of common concern. Jiang said that China stands ready to expand economic and trade cooperation with Vietnam. To this end, effective policies should be adopted to tap the potentials for bilateral economic and trade cooperation so as to push the bilateral cooperation in this field to a new high. He also said that in the spirit of mutual understanding and mutual accommodation and keeping the general picture in mind, the two sides should reach an agreement in the demarcation of Beibu Bay within the year.