Meetings with Vietnamese leaders and lawmakers are on the agenda. The visit is meant to shore up economic ties and counter US presence.

Hanoi (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Chinese President Hu Jintao arrived in Vietnam today for a three-day visit aimed at shoring up ties between the Communist former rivals and countering growing US influence in the area.

The two countries, once allies during the US war but then enemies in a brief war in 1979, normalised ties in 1991 and have gradually pursued more friendly relations ever since.

Currently, both sides are working hard to achieve the target of the two-way trade turnover of US$ 10 billion by 2010.

Beijing's support will also be helpful in Hanoi's attempt to join the World Trade Organisation, which the US vigorously opposes.

Hence, Hu's first visit as president marks another step towards a stronger relationship between the two countries.

"The maintenance of high-level meetings between leaders of the two countries represents a very important element contributing to the enhancement of mutual trust and understanding between the two peoples," Vietnamese foreign ministry spokesman Le Dung said.

"Mr Hu's visit is even more important at a time when the leaders in Hanoi are preparing for the 10th Congress of the Vietnamese Communist Party [next year] and are looking at the choice of new leaders, something China is watching very closely," said a Vietnamese diplomat who asked not to be named.

Hu will meet with President Tran Duc Luong as well as Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh during the three-day trip.

Tomorrow he is also scheduled to address a joint session of Vietnam's parliament, an honour rarely given to foreign dignitaries visiting the country.

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