Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) meets with Vietnamese President Nguyen Minh Triet in Beijing, capital of China, on May 17, 2007. (Xinhua Photo/Ma Zhancheng)

China and Vietnam on Thursday vowed to properly handle border issues, and maintain peace and stability in border areas.

Meeting with Vietnamese President Nguyen Minh Triet, Chinese President Hu Jintao urged the two sides to properly handle the border issues so as to create good conditions for both countries' reform and development.

Triet said that Vietnam was keen to develop relations between the border provinces, so as to create peace, friendship and common development in the frontier area.

He pledged to deal with the land demarcation in a timely way and increase bilateral cooperation in the Beibu Bay area.

As for bilateral relations, Hu said China-Vietnam relations have maintained a good momentum in recent years with frequent high-level visits and fast-growing economic and trade cooperation. The two sides also coordinate in international and regional affairs.

Hu put forward five proposals to further promote bilateral relations -- bilateral exchanges at various levels, enhanced economic, trade and technological cooperation, more personnel exchanges between the two countries, careful management of border issues, and closer coordination and consultation in international and regional affairs, especially within multilateral frameworks.

Hu spoke highly of Vietnam's support for the one-China policy and China's reunification.

Triet agreed with Hu's remarks on bilateral ties, adding the two countries are facing the same development tasks, and share common strategic interests.

Relations with China are a priority of Vietnam's foreign relations, Triet stressed.

He said that Vietnam was keen to maintain exchanges with China at all levels, further increase mutual understanding and trust, and deepen cooperation in areas such as trade, technology, agriculture, culture and tourism.

Triet reiterated that Vietnam would firmly adhere to the one-China policy, support China's reunification and oppose "Taiwan independence separatist activities" in any form.

Editor: Yan