Vietnam wants to learn from Chinese experience in building its legal system, especially in economics, poverty reduction, social welfare and narrowing the development gap between urban and rural areas

Vietnamese National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong made the comment while holding talks with her Chinese counterpart Yan Junqi in Hanoi on Mar. 22.

Phong expressed her wish that in the future, the two legislative bodies would boost the exchange of information and experience, as well as enhance cooperation at regional and international inter-parliamentary forums. She stressed that Vietnam , as President of ASEAN and the AIPA in 2010, would actively contribute to boosting ASEAN-China ties and expressed her hope that China would support Vietnam in implementing this task.

Yan Junqi, Vice Chairwoman of the National People’ Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, agreed that it is necessary to boost cooperation between the two countries in all fields, particularly cooperation between the two parliaments both at bilateral and multilateral forums.

She said that to solve the imbalance in trade between the two countries, governments and businesses from both sides need to exert more efforts based on fair and mutual benefits. She added that Vietnam also needed to promote its products and China would encourage its investors to go to China .

At the talks, the two sides briefed each other on their situation and reviewed their cooperation and trade ties to date.

Since 2004, China has constantly been a leading trade partner of Vietnam with two-way trade turnover surpassing their target of 15 billion USD, hitting 16 billion USD in 2007.

Bilateral cooperation in culture, sports, tourism, education and training has been strengthened. Territorial and border issues are in the process of being resolved, step-by-step, and promising new progress has been seen.

The year 2010 - as the Year of Vietnam-China Friendship – will see numerous activities to celebrate the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic ties.

Earlier, on Mar. 20-21, Yan Junqi and the NPC delegation visited Ho Chi Minh City and had working session with the Chairwoman of the municipal People’s Committee Pham Phuong Thao./.