China and Vietnam will keep close high-level contacts and establish a hotline between state leaders, said a joint statement released by the two countries in Beijing on Sunday.

The joint statement was released during the four-day China visit of Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee General Secretary Nong Duc Manh.

Speaking highly of the traditional friendship between China and Vietnam, the statement said the two sides would continue to promote the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation. This featured good neighbors, friends, comrades and partners and maintained a long-term stable and sound development of the relationship.

The two countries agreed to continue mutual support in all fields and to enhance mutual trust and expand the all-round cooperation. They would properly handle and resolve issues existing in the bilateral relations, strengthen cooperation and coordination in international and regional issues, and promote the long-lasting peace and common prosperity in Asia and the world as a whole.

The two sides would establish exchange and cooperation mechanism between relevant departments of central organs of the CPV and Communist Party of China (CPC), so as to share their experience in nation building and their socialist theories and practice, the joint statement said.

They will also promote cooperation in foreign affairs, national defense, social security and national security, as well as in areas including economy, trade, technology, culture and education. They will expand friendly exchange between their respective young people and non-governmental organizations.

China and Vietnam stressed in the statement their respective socialist path of development with domestic characteristics as the right choice conducive to the fundamental interests of the two peoples.

Vietnam spoke highly of China's achievements in the reform and opening up. China also highly appreciated Vietnam's reform, the statement said.

Extending condolences for China's heavy losses and casualties in the severe earthquake on May 12, the Vietnamese wished the Chinese people to conquer the disaster. Vietnam also voiced its full support for the upcoming Beijing Olympic Games.

Vietnam reaffirmed its firm adherence to the one-China policy, and opposed "Taiwan separatist" activities in any form. It pledged Vietnam would never have any governmental relationship with Taiwan.

The two countries will continue to strengthen cooperation and coordination in multilateral frameworks, including the United Nations, the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation and the Association for Southeast Asian Nations, and jointly maintain and promote world peace, prosperity and development.

Invited by President Hu Jintao, Manh started his China tour on May 30. After visiting Beijing, he flew to the eastern Jiangsu Province on Sunday morning.

(Xinhua News Agency June 2, 2008)