Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh (R) received newly-appointed Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam Xiong Bo in Hanoi on December 27 (Photo: VNA)

Mr. Minh made the statement while receiving the new Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam, Xiong Bo in Hanoi on Thursday. Mr. Minh urged Mr. Xiong to work closely with Vietnamese agencies to maintain high-level visits and meetings between the two countries; promote cooperation; enhance people-to-people exchanges; minimize differences; and accelerate the settlement of maritime issues.

Mr. Xiong vowed to do his utmost to enhance the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership in line with the interests of each country.