Xi publishes signed article ahead of Vietnam visit, calling for closer cooperation

HANOI -- President Xi Jinping on Thursday reviewed the China-Vietnam friendship "forged with blood" by the older generation of leaders and the two peoples and called on both sides to make greater efforts to promote bilateral ties.

Xi made the remarks in a signed article published in Nhan Dan, the official newspaper of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

The Chinese leader is expected to pay a state visit to Vietnam and also attend the 25th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting scheduled for Nov. 10-11 in the Vietnamese city of Da Nang.

Describing the two countries as "close neighbors connected by mountains and rivers," Xi said that China and Vietnam have had a long history of exchange and mutual learning dating back to ancient times.

In modern times, the two peoples fought shoulder to shoulder and forged a special bond of "camaraderie + brotherhood" in their struggle for independence and liberation, the article wrote.

"In the new era, our two peoples have worked closely to pursue reform and renewal, and advance the cause of socialism. We have explored socialist development paths suited to our own national conditions, created miracles in our respective development, and achieved marked progress in our bilateral ties," Xi said.

Noting that the two sides face many identical or similar new problems and challenges amid evolving global and regional situation, Xi said China and Vietnam need, more than ever, to work in joint efforts in their pursuit of dreams of national strength and prosperity.

The Chinese leader called for deepening cooperation and exploring new prospects for "our interconnected interests."

The two sides need to enhance the complementarity of their development strategies and work for substantive progress in bilateral cooperation in key areas such as infrastructure, trade, industrial capacity, cross-border economic cooperation zones and agriculture, Xi said.

He also urged the two countries to "stay committed to seeking a fundamental and durable solution to their maritime issues acceptable to both sides through friendly consultation."

"We need to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, actively advance the consultation on a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea and jointly uphold peace and stability there," he said.

The Chinese president also wished Vietnam a great success hosting the upcoming APEC meeting, saying that China looks forward to a "highly productive meeting that contributes to the common development and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific."