China's Zhu arrives in Vietnam
HANOI - Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji arrived
in Vietnam's southern Ho Chi Minh City on Wednesday, his first
stop on a visit expected to focus on economic and border
issues.
A Vietnamese Foreign Ministry official told Reuters that Zhu
would meet Vietnam Communist Party leaders based in the
former Saigon, before flying to Hanoi on Thursday.
Vietnam's leaders are expected to have many questions for Zhu
over Beijing's recent deal with the United States that paves the
way for China to join the World Trade Organisation.
Hanoi has debated the merits of signing its own trade pact with
Washington, and has hesitated because conservative party
elements fear the loss of control such a deal would bring.
Vietnam and China have a long history of animosity despite their
ideological and cultural similarities, but Hanoi has closely
watched China's economic reforms in the past 20 years.
Analysts have said China's pledge to economic reform under the
WTO deal will force Vietnam to realise how unappealing its
protected economy looks to businessmen, and might help nudge
Hanoi toward signing the U.S. trade agreement.
Zhu, who has visited Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore as
part of an Asian tour, might also sign an agreement with Hanoi
aimed at resolving land border disputes during his December
1-4 trip, diplomats have said.
The two sides also have competing claims in two South China
Sea archipelagoes -- the Spratly and Paracel island chains.
Reuters - December 01, 1999.
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