Chinese Vice-President Hu Jintao left Hanoi Monday after attending the Ninth National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) as guest of the CPV Central Committee.

Hu, also Standing Committee member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, arrived here April 18, heading a CPC delegation for the congress that opened April 19 and closed April 22.

Hu's delegation was seen off at the airport by Nguyen Canh Dinh, president of the Vietnam-China Friendship Association, Chinese ambassador to Vietnam Qi Jianguo and representatives of Chinese firms and students studying in Vietnam.

Before he left, Hu sent a message of thanks for the warm reception he was granted by the Vietnamese party, government and people.

Sources say Hu's presence at the Vietnamese party congress is an important event in the relations between the two parties and the two countries in the new century.

He passed over the CPC's message of congratulations to the CPV and delivered an important speech at the congress, showing the Chinese party and people's deep friendship and good wishes for the Vietnamese party and people.

During his meetings with Vietnamese leaders, including newly- elected General Secretary Nong Duc Manh of the CPV Central Committee, Hu had an extensive and in-depth exchange of views with them on issues of shared concern, including promotion of the China- Vietnam ties in the new century, the construction in their respective countries and the party building.

The important meetings and activities have served to increase friendship and trust between the two parties and the two peoples, and will have significant impact on promoting the socialist construction of the two nations, improving their party building, and enhancing the long-term, healthy and stable advancement of the ties between the two parties and the two countries in the new century.

During the congress, Hu also met with heads of foreign parties' delegations participating in the congress, including those from Laos, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and Russia.

The CPV treasured and spoke highly of Hu's presence at the congress, deeming it as a strong support for the CPV's adherence to the socialist road and the renovation process, and another strong promotion to the Vietnam-China ties in the new century.

(Xinhua 04/23/2001)