On October 22, 2008, Chinese President Hu Jintao met at the Great Hall of the People with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, who is here for an official visit and to attend the seventh Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit.

Hu highlighted that China-Vietnam ties were "in a new phase of comprehensive development." He noted China highly valued its relations with Vietnam and was willing to make joint efforts with the country to push for the fast and sound development of the bilateral comprehensive and strategic partnership based on the 16-word principle of "long- term stability, future-oriented, good-neighborliness and comprehensive cooperation”.

Hu made a three-point proposal on advancing bilateral ties. First, stick to the overall development of China-Vietnam relations. He called on the two sides to work closer to deal with the new situation and challenges concerning the bilateral relations, share the opportunity for further development and join hands to respond risks, which he said is in the fundamental interest of both countries and their peoples as well as Asia’s stability and development. The two sides should firmly grasp the right direction of the bilateral relations in a long-term and strategic perspective and push their comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership along a track of sound, stable development. Second, build mutual strategic trust. He voiced China's willingness to maintain close high-level contacts and timely exchange of views with Vietnam on significant issues that might affect the bilateral relations. He also suggested that both sides properly handle issues existing in their ties and do their utmost to safeguard the overall situation of China-Vietnam friendly relations. Hu expressed his hope the two nations would complete the demarcation work on the land border at an early date so as to make the land border a place of peace, cooperation and friendship. Third, enhance comprehensive cooperation. The two sides should give full play to the various cooperative mechanisms including the steering committee on China-Vietnam cooperation, work out overall plans and advance the bilateral exchange and cooperation in various fields and at various levels, Hu added.

Nguyen Tan Dung said guided by the consensus reached by General Secretary Nong Duc Manh and General Secretary Hu Jintao on developing bilateral comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership, China-Vietnam relations have been developing rapidly with strong momentum in the development of economic, trade and investment cooperation. He noted that his people would never forget the tremendous support China offered during the country's fight for national emancipation and unification. Vietnam would put its relations with China as a top priority for its foreign policy and join hands with China to push forward the bilateral strategic partnership and pass on the friendship between the two peoples from generation to generation, he stressed. He also spoke positively on the important efforts the two sides made for the land boundary demarcation work, expressing his hope that the two nations could reach an agreement soon by proceeding from the overall development of their ties.

Chinese President Hu Jintao proposed the two neighboring countries always keep the overall situation of the bilateral relations and the domestic development of both sides in mind and correctly view and properly handle issues concerning the South China Sea by taking a long-term, overall perspective. He urged both sides to make efforts to seek ways to strengthen cooperation in the South China Sea. "We should make it (South China Sea) a place of peace, cooperation and friendship," Hu said.

Nguyen Tan Dung said Vietnam would insist on the negotiation for the peaceful and lasting resolution of the issue and narrow the differences based on mutual trust, respect and understanding. Vietnam was willing to resolve disputes with China concerning the issue in a spirit of cooperation and brotherhood and to cement the bilateral ties in the South China Sea in fields such as oil and natural gas exploration, marine environmental protection, marine scientific research and marine rescue mission as well as in combating against piracy, he noted.

State Councilor Dai Bingguo attended the meeting.