Vietnam, China pinpoint cooperation focus at Beijing meeting

Beijing (VNA) – Vietnam and China discussed and agreed on the focal points of their cooperation to promote the bilateral comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership at the 10th meeting of the countries’ Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation in Beijing on April 17.

Under the co-chair of Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and Chinese State Councillor Yang Jiechi, the meeting highly valued the positive development trend in bilateral cooperation since the ninth meeting on June 6, 2016, especially regular meetings between their Parties’ and States’ senior leaders, enhanced cooperation between ministries, sectors and localities, and stronger people-to-people exchanges.

They also pointed out difficulties and obstacles in the two countries’ relations.

The two sides agreed to strengthen coordination to prepare for visits and meetings of the two countries’ high-ranking leaders. They will bolster cooperation between the Parties and bring into play the two foreign ministries’ role in coordinating and stepping up bilateral ties.

The two sides will implement mechanisms for defence exchange and cooperation and intensify connections in security and law enforcement.

Effective measures will be taken to balance trade, expand investment and promote the sustainable development of economic and trade relations with a focus on agriculture, forestry and fisheries.

Both sides also agreed to facilitate the establishment of Vietnam’s trade promotion offices in China and increase Chinese investment in the fields that match Vietnam’s demand and interests. 

China expressed support for Vietnam’s access to preferential loan sources and financial funds within the framework of ASEAN-China and Mekong-Lancang cooperation.

The two sides vowed to strengthen collaboration in transport, environmental protection, climate change response, cross-border labour management, among others.

The two sides discussed sea-related issues in a straightforward manner, and agreed to observe important shared conceptions reached by their Party and government leaders as well as the Vietnam-China agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of sea issues.

They agreed to push negotiation mechanisms regarding sea-related issues towards achieving substantial outcomes, comprehensively and effectively carry out the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), soon finalise a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC), control sea disputes well, not to take actions that may complicate the situation or expand disputes, and maintain peace and stability in the East Sea.

Also at the meeting, Deputy PM Minh proposed that the two countries boost win-win cooperation for substantive progress in line with the common perceptions of the countries’ senior leaders. 

He urged that the two countries should effectively make use of existing cooperation mechanisms between ministries, sectors and localities, maintain regular contact between the two Secretaries-General of the steering committee for bilateral cooperation, and fully utilise the bridging role of the Vietnamese and Chinese Ambassadors, thus expanding and improving the quality of cooperation in all aspects.

Deputy PM Minh is scheduled to meet with Politburo permanent member and Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Yu Zhengsheng in the afternoon of April 17.-VNA