BEIJING - China's top legislator Wu Bangguo vowed on Tuesday to strengthen political trust with Vietnam and properly solve existing problems in bilateral relations.

Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), made the remark while meeting with General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong.

"The CPC and the Chinese government have always handled relations with Vietnam from a strategic and long-term perspective, " Wu said.

The next 10 years will be a key period for both countries' national development, Wu said, vowing to make joint efforts with Vietnam to expand substantial cooperation, boost their strategic cooperative partnership and improve the Communist Party's ability to govern.

Trong's current visit comes as the two countries celebrate the 20th anniversary of the normalization of bilateral ties. This year also marks the 90th anniversary of the CPC's founding and the CPV's 11th national congress.

Calling Trong's visit "significant," Wu said the two countries and ruling parties face similar opportunities and challenges. He said he believes Trong's visit will create a fresh impetus for the development of both countries and parties.

Concerning parliamentary exchanges, Wu said the NPC and Vietnam's National Assembly have maintained close exchanges and cooperation. He called for boosting parliamentary contacts and deepening the Vietnam-China bilateral friendship.

Wu urged the two parliaments to hold exchange activities related to reform and modernization.

Trong, who arrived earlier Tuesday for a five-day trip, said Vietnam attaches great importance to developing friendly relations with China and is committed to further boosting relations between both countries and parties.

He spoke positively of the achievements made in bilateral ties since the establishment of diplomatic relations 61 years ago and the normalization of relations 20 years ago.

Vietnam will never forget China's support and help in Vietnam's national liberation and construction, Trong said.

Trong's visit was his first to China since being elected general secretary of the CPV Central Committee in January this year.

Trong paid the visit as a guest of Hu Jintao, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and China's president.