Vietnamese media on Thursday emphasized the importance of the ongoing visit to the country by General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese President Hu Jintao, which is to deepen the friendly and cooperative relations between the two nations.

Hu's three-day visit starting on Wednesday is an important momentum, helping bring the Vietnam-China relations to a new height under the direction of comprehensive and stable development, which is suitable to the two peoples' fundamental interests and makes active contribution to the peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world, said the newspaper People's Army.

Taking place just three months after the trip to China by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee (CPVCC) Nong Duc Manh, Hu's visit is an evidence showing that leaders of the two countries have attached importance to paying reciprocal visits and meetings on the sidelines of international meetings, considering them one of important directions for the bilateral ties and contributing to consolidating and promoting the mutual understanding and trust between Vietnam and China, said the newspaper.

The visit also expresses the special interests of the state, party and people in the Vietnam-China relation development, the newspaper said, adding that the great potential for the bilateral cooperation development is a condition for the two sides to strengthen their all-round cooperation.

An editorial of the Newspaper People, titled "Creating new momentum to foster the Vietnam-China relation development", says that the visit, on the occasion of the 14th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Hanoi, vividly expresses the two countries' efforts in strengthening cooperation for the prosperity of the APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) community, and increasing their status in the Asia-Pacific region and the world.

The friendly and cooperative cooperation between Vietnam and China has been deepened and broadened in various fields, including politics, economy, trade, investment, and culture.

China now is Vietnam's biggest trade partner, with the estimated two-way trade of 10.2 billion U.S. dollars in 2006, ahead the schedule of 2010 set by leaders of the two countries, and up from some 30 million dollars in 1991.

As of late October, China had 399 operational projects with total registered capital of 834.7 million dollars in Vietnam, according to the newspapers.