On October 22, 2008, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao held talks with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung at the Great Hall of the People.

Wen said China and Vietnam are important neighbors and share broad common interest in promoting regional peace and development. The traditional friendship between the two peoples is precious treasure of both sides. The Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Chinese government attach great importance to developing ties with Vietnam and are ready to build mutual trust, deepen cooperation and push bilateral comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership for greater development to benefit both peoples and contribute to regional peace, stability and development.

Wen said to strengthen economic and trade cooperation is of great significance for the two countries to cope with the current global financial crisis and maintain economic growth. Both sides should give play to the role of the existing mechanisms, coordinate closely and implement the five-year plan for development of China-Vietnam economic and trade cooperation. He urged both sides to advance cooperation in key areas and projects including agriculture, fishery, transportation infrastructure and energy, expand trade and mutual investment and strive for trade relations with balanced, sustainable development. Both sides should also enhance information sharing and policy coordination and guard against financial risks.

Wen hoped that relevant departments of both sides will step up efforts to resolve the issue of land border demarcation left over from history and ensure a safe, harmonious border environment.

Dung said that the Vietnamese party, government and people cherish very much and attach great importance to the traditional friendship with China. To develop Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership is an unswerving policy of Vietnam. Dung hoped that both sides can maintain high-level exchanges, strengthen communication between the agencies of foreign affairs, defense and law enforcement of both countries, give full play to the role of bilateral cooperation steering committee and comprehensively implement various agreements and consensus reached by both sides. He also suggested both sides expand cooperation on economy, trade, investment, infrastructure construction and tourism, advance "Two Corridors, One Circle", economic and trade cooperation zone and other key cooperation projects and encourage regional and humanities exchanges. Vietnam hopes to enhance coordination and cooperation with China to cope with the global financial crisis, he added.

Dung said Vietnam is ready to properly resolve the border issue between the two countries based on the spirit of mutual respect and friendly consultation.

Following the talks, the two premiers attended a signing ceremony of a range of bilateral cooperation agreements concerning economy, trade, health and quarantine and people-to-people exchanges.

Prior to the talks, Wen held a welcoming ceremony for Dung’s visit at the square outside the East Gate of the Great Hall of the People. Vice Chairman Suo Lisheng of the Central Committee of China Democratic League, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam Hu Qianwen and other officials attended the welcoming ceremony.