Xi calls on Chinese, Vietnamese legislatures to enhance all-level exchanges, cooperation

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Vietnamese National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan in Hanoi, Vietnam, Nov. 12, 2017. (Xinhua/Zhang Duo)

HANOI, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese President Xi Jinpingon Sunday called on Chinese and Vietnamese legislatures to enhance all-level exchanges and cooperation.

Xi made the remarks when he met with Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, Chairwoman of the National Assembly of Vietnam, while he is paying a state visit to the Southeast Asian country.

Xi spoke highly of the friendly exchanges between the National People's Congress (NPC) of China, and the National Assembly of Vietnam.

The legislatures of the two countries have played an important role in the national political life respectively and in strengthening the mutual understanding between the two peoples, Xi said.

He called on the two countries' legislatures to enhance all-level exchanges, increase experience-sharing in state governance and legislative oversight, and promote understanding between the two peoples.

During the meeting, Xi also briefed the Vietnamese top legislator on China's experiences in comprehensively carrying out the basic policy of governing the country by law.

It is Xi's second visit to the neighboring socialist country as the head of state of China and the top leader of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

China and Vietnam have a long history of friendship and face broad prospects for cooperation, Xi said, noting that China attaches great importance to the development of the bilateral ties.

China is willing to promote the long-term, healthy and stable development of the two countries' comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership under the principles of "long-term stability, future-orientation, good-neighborliness and comprehensive cooperation" and in the spirit of "good neighbors, good friends, good comrades and good partners," the president said.

Under the new circumstances, China and Vietnam should carry forward their traditional friendship, keep high-level contacts, broaden strategic communication, increase experience-sharing in party-running and state governance, and expand mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, he said.

This is Xi's first overseas trip on the heels of the landmark 19th CPC National Congress held in October.

Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, on her part, conveyed warm welcome to Xi's state visit to Vietnam, adding that Xi's address to the National Assembly of Vietnam two years ago is a vivid memory till now.

She extended congratulations to the success of the 19th CPC National Congress, and expressed her belief that the socialist cause of China with Chinese characteristics will make great success under Xi's leadership.

Amid its own process of reform, the National Assembly of Vietnam is willing to enhance exchanges and experience-sharing with the NPC, so as to make contribution to the friendly bilateral ties, she said.

Before flying to Hanoi, Xi concluded a busy two-day stay in Vietnam's central city of Da Nang, where he attended the 25th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Meeting.