China's Li Peng visits Vietnam

China's Li Peng visits Vietnam

HANOI (Reuters): China's parliamentary leader Li Peng began a
three-day visit to neighboring Vietnam on Friday aimed at
building on improved ties with a country that is both a communist
ally and a traditional regional rival.

Li, the chairman of China's National People's Congress, will
stay until Monday on what is described by both sides as an
"official friendship visit".

Li's trip follows a visit to Beijing last month by a
delegation from Vietnam's National Assembly, during which he
noted the similar political conditions in the two countries and
their focus on reform and economic development.

Li is to meet Vietnam's leadership trio of Communist Party
chief Nong Duc Manh, state President Tran Duc Luong and Prime
Minister Phan Van Khai and to visit a port in the border province
of Quang Ninh.