Hanoi (VNA) – Developing the relations with China remains Vietnam’s consistent po𝔉licy and strategic choice, and a top priority in its foreign policy of self-reliance, multilateralisation, and diversification, said National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man on August 5.

The NA leader told Chinese Ambassador Xiong Bo in Hanoi as the latter came to say goodbye at the end of his tenure in the Southeast Asian nation.

Man used the occasion to thank Chinese comrades for their special sentiments to General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong, who passed away last month.

The top legislator emphasised the close neighbourliness and time-honoured friendship between the two countries, as well as similarities in the political system and the path towards socialism under the leadership of the communist party.

Vietnam always keeps in mind the great, whole-hearted support from the Chinese Party, State and people to its past struggle for national independence and reunification, and its present cause of national construction and defence, the leader continued.

Man lauded significant contributions by the ambassador and the staff of the Chinese Embassy in Vietnam over the past time, saying Xiong has played an active part in advancing the relations between the two Parties and countries to a new height, and promoting the bilateral cooperation across spheres, with two-way trade nearing 95 billion USD in the first half of this year.

The chief legislator also hailed the diplomat’s role in enhancing collaboration between the Vietnamese NA and the National People's Congress of China, which is now growing intensively.

The two sides have maintained their exchanges through many flexible forms, as well as their consultation and close coordination at regional and inter-parliamentary forums, especially the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), he added.

Man expressed his hope that Xiong, in any position, will keep his good sentiments towards Vietnam, and contribute more to the stable, sustainable development of the Vietnam-China relations.

For his part, the ambassador extended his deepest sympathy over the passing of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, saying it is the huge loss to the Vietnamese Party, State and people, as well as the relations between the two Parties and countries.

Xiong also congratulated President To Lam on his election as the General Secretary of the CPV Central Committee.

He said cooperation between the two Parties and countries in various areas, from economy and trade to people-to-people exchange, has reaped marked achievements, with the Vietnamese legislature playing a crucial role.

The diplomat expres▨sed his belief that the Vietnamese NA will continue affirming its role in enhancing the relationship and friendship between the two countries in the time ahea🅠d./.