China’s Sichuan province attaches importance to developing ties with localities in Vietnam and will do its best to bolster those relations to contribute to strategic, bilateral cooperation, said Sichuan leader.

Visiting Governor of Sichuan province Jiang Jufeng was speaking while meeting with Truong Tan Sang, politburo member and standing member of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee’s Secretariat, in Hanoi on April 22.

He affirmed that the current visit to Vietnam was part of implementing agreements reached during Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s visit to Sichuan on boosting economic, trade and investment cooperation with Vietnamese localities.

Governor Jiang expressed his pleasure at the fine development of the neighbouring friendship and cooperation between the two countries over the past years, as well as the strengthening of multi-faceted cooperation between Sichuan and ministries, sectors and localities in Vietnam . Those fine relations have brought benefits to both sides, he stated.

The Vietnamese Party official congratulated Sichuan on their achievements in overcoming the devastating aftermath of the May 2008 earthquake as well as on their socio-economic successes in the recent past.

He praised the enhancement of exchanges between agencies and Party organisations, authorities and people of the two sides, which have helped boost mutual understanding and trust.

He also expressed his belief that the visit would expand relations between the two countries, particularly between Sichuan and Vietnamese localities.

Sang, on behalf of the Vietnamese Party, State and people, asked Jiang to convey the deepest condolences to the Chinese Party, State and people over the great losses suffered in the recent earthquake in northwest China's Qinghai province./.