Vietnam welcomed China’s attendance at meetings between ASEAN and its partners and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), which shows that China attaches importance to the strategic partnership with ASEAN and Vietnam.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem made the remark at his talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi on July 21 on the sidelines of the ASEAN+1 and ASEAN+3 meetings and the ARF.

The two sides expressed their pleasure at the development of Vietnam-China comprehensive cooperation in recent times.

They agreed to maintain high-ranking meetings and boost regular exchanges between ministries, agencies and localities.

The two countries should also strengthen economic and trade cooperation, to reach a bilateral trade value of 25 billion USD by the end of this year, they said.

They also confirmed close cooperation to thoroughly deploy consensus decisions reached at the fourth session of the Vietnam-China steering committee for bilateral cooperation and to organise the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties, Vietnam-China friendship year and the coming Vietnam-China Youth Festival to be held in Guangxi province.

The two sides spoke highly of the significance of the effectiveness of three documents on land borders between the two countries and agreed to soon implement the documents, helping build a borderline of peace, friendship, cooperation and development.

Vietnam and China will also strictly follow consensus decisions approved by the two leaders, on the basis of international rules, especially the UN Convention on Law of the Sea in 1982 and in the spirit of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), via friendship negotiation and talks.

They also exchanged views on regional and international issues of the common concern, including cooperation in preparation for ASEAN+1, ASEAN+3 meetings and ARF 17 to be held in Hanoi .

The same day, Deputy PM and FM Pham Gia Khiem met Indonesian FM Marty Natalegawa, during which the latter spoke highly of Vietnam’s hosting and management of the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM) and related meetings.

The two sides agreed to increase cooperation at regional and international forums.

They also showed their pleasure at the development of their bilateral friendship and multifaceted cooperation and agreed to soon accelerate the signing of an action plan to implement the comprehensive cooperation programme between the two countries.

Vietnam and Indonesia will also work together to implement activities to mark 55 years of their diplomatic ties and increase high-ranking visit exchanges and cooperation between ministries, agencies and localities.

Deputy PM and FM Khiem also met with New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Murray McCully and witnessed the signing of the 2010-2013 action plan to implement the Vietnam-New Zealand comprehensive partnership./.