President Truong Tan Sang (R) welcomes Chinese Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping in Hanoi. Photo: VNA Hanoi, (VNA) – Vietnam and China need to intensify the building of political trust, boost co-operation, and actively seek appropriate solutions to existing differences, stated President Truong Tan Sang during talks with Chinese Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping in Hanoi on November 6.
He said that in recent years, trust in relations between the two Parties and countries in a group of Party members and people has been reduced due to the sea issue and the incomplete implementation of several co-operation agreements.
It was a fact that the two countries had differences in opinion when it came to the East Sea issue, Sang said. However, the most important things to do were to respect each other’s legitimate interests, control the situation, implement agreements and common perceptions reached by senior Party and State leaders, and address disputes properly through negotiations, he added.
He suggested the two countries avoid any actions that complicate and expand disputes or target militarisation in the East Sea , while ensuring aviation and navigation safety, and normal fishing activities for fishermen. They also need to work together to build and maintain a peaceful, stable environment to serve the development goals of both countries and the region.
The nations could carry out co-operation projects and programmes at sea in line with international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) while carrying out the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and working toward the early formation of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC), he added.
The Vietnamese State leader expressed his delight at the outcomes of the talks between General Secretary and President Xi and Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong on November 5, confirming that the Vietnamese Party, State and people were willing to do their utmost to, together with the Chinese Party, State and people, strengthen and consolidate the bilateral comprehensive strategic co-operative partnership for the interests of the two countries, and for peace, stability and cooperation in the region and the world.
In the context of complicated international situations, the two countries need to uphold traditions of mutual support, while enhancing friendly co-operation, he added.
President Truong Tan Sang also suggested both sides foster collaboration in all fields, effectively carry out agreements on economics, trade and investment to boost the bilateral economic and trade ties on the basis of mutual benefit and mutual respect for legitimate interests.
Vietnam and China should look for efficient ways to equal out their trade balance, while increasing investments in major projects using China ’s advanced science and technology in Vietnam .
People-to-people exchange, especially between youths, intellectuals and border residents, has been promoted, he said. However, communications on this work still remain weak.
For his part, General Secretary and President Xi Jinping affirmed his Party, State and people always treasure their traditional friendship and neighbourliness with Vietnam .
The two Parties and States are currently building socialism under the leadership of the Communist Party, and need to maintain a peaceful and stable environment to develop the nation, which are basic similarities that could help foster bilateral relations.
Therefore, a healthy and stable development of China-Vietnam relations and enhanced co-operation between the two Parties, States and peoples are significant to the growth of each country in accordance with the aspirations of their people, he stressed.
As the China-Vietnam relationship is facing new development opportunities, both nations should further consolidate their time-honoured friendship, maintain high-level meetings and visits, boost the “one belt, one road” and “two corridors, one belt” strategic connectivity, promote people-to-people exchanges, properly handle disputes, and respect each other to develop the comprehensive strategic co-operative partnership in a stable, healthy, sustainable manner.
Regarding the sea issue, the top Chinese leader said that both sides should exert efforts to control disputes through consultations, in order to maintain peace and stability at sea.
He expressed his belief that common perceptions reached during the visit would open up a brighter future, creating a firm foundation for friendship and co-operation between the two Parties, States and peoples.-VNA
