Premier Zhu Rongji said Monday that China places Sino-Vietnamese relations on an important position in its foreign affairs and will work together with Vietnam to push forward bilateral cooperation.

Zhu made the remarks during talks with Vietnamese Prime Minister Phan Van Khai, who arrived in Beijing Monday for a four-day work visit. It is the second China visit of the prime minister since he took up that post.

With joint efforts of the two sides, Zhu said, China and Vietnam have maintained smooth relations. He stressed that the two sides should develop their relations in accordance with the principles set by the general secretaries of the Communist Parties of the two countries last year.

Jiang Zemin, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, and Le Kha Phieu, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, agreed last year during Phieu's visit to China that the two sides should work to build long-term, stable, good-neighborly and all-round relations.

Zhu said as the two sides have already settled land border demarcations, they should, in accordance with the consensus of the state leaders of the two countries, complete border demarcations at the Beibu Bay within the year, and sign a fishing agreement.

An early settlement of the issue serves the interests of the two peoples and is their common desires, Zhu said, adding that it will also help contribute to the peace and stability of the region and the rest of the world as well.

Phan Van Khai said he is confident that the goal to complete the demarcations at the Beibu Bay will be reached within the year as both sides are making efforts.

Zhu said the trade and economic cooperation between China and Vietnam have made progress over the past year. He suggested both take more effective measures to ensure that bilateral trade volume will reach the goal of US$2 billion this year.

The Vietnamese prime minister is optimistic about the realization of the goal. He said trade and economic cooperation between the two have grown remarkably since the beginning of the year, and he believes the US$2 billion goal is within reach.

Zhu also expressed his concern for the severe floods that hit parts of Vietnam recently. He said the Vietnamese prime minister's visit at the 50th anniversary of China-Vietnam relations will help push forward bilateral relations to a higher level in the new century.

(People's Daily,2000/9/26)