AN unprecedented meeting between Chinese President Jiang Zemin and Vietnamese leaders ended last night with a vow to put differences aside to resolve simmering tensions.
Mr Jiang's spokesman, Chen Jian, said leaders on both sides acknowledged problems but agreed they should not interfere with emerging friendship.
'There are some problems in the bilateral relationship . . . the two sides believed that they should enhance understanding and seek common ground while putting aside their differences,' Mr Chen said, referring to growing tensions in the South China Sea and the Tonkin Gulf.
'Both sides will proceed from the overall interest of the friendly relations between the countries and of peace and stability in the region,' he said.
However, he added that neither Mr Jiang, the first Chinese president to visit Vietnam, or Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary Do Muoi and the President, General Le Duc Anh, covered 'specific incidents of specific issues'.
The three leaders met for nearly two hours of 'cordial and friendly talks' at the grand Presidential Palace in Hanoi.
Mr Chen said both sides acknowledged similar positions on many issues and the need to develop friendly relations and trade.