Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister Vu Van Ninh and China’s Vice Premier Ma Kai have agreed to intensify exchanges and contact between high-ranking officials in various forms, helping boost the development of bilateral ties in a sound and stable manner.

The two leaders shared the views during their meeting on June 6 on the occasion of the Vietnamese Deputy PM leading a delegation to attend the first China-South Asia Expo and the 21 st China Import & Export Fair running in Kunming city, Yunnan province, China from June 4 to 7.

They also reached unanimity on the further acceleration of mutually-beneficial cooperation in economics, trade, science-technology, tourism, education and culture.

Regarding bilateral ties, the two sides showed appreciation of recent progress, especially after the telephone talks between the two countries’ Party chiefs on March 21 and the 6th Meeting of the Steering Committee on Vietnam-China Bilateral Cooperation held in Beijing in May.

Deputy Prime Minister Ninh suggested the two sides actively join hands to implement the list of key cooperation projects which is attached to the 5-year development plan for Vietnam-China trade-economic cooperation (2012-2016).

These projects include connecting highways between the two countries, a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in agricultural trading, negotiations on hygiene inspection and quarantine of farm produce and food traded between the two countries, and gradually achieve trade balance.

Vietnam asked that China should create favourable conditions for Vietnam to soon establish trade promotion offices in China, and encourage Chinese businesses to invest in Vietnam, especially in the supporting industry, as well as strengthen multilateral economic cooperation in the framework of China-ASEAN and the Greater Mekong Sub-region.

Deputy PM Ninh praised the great achievements reaped by the Chinese people under the leadership of their Party and Government in the cause of national construction and defence. He also wished the Expo and Fair every success, adding that the events will create good opportunities for ASEAN and North Asian nations as well as China to improve friendship and expand trade, economic and investment cooperation.

Vice Premier Ma Kai highly valued Vietnam ’s participation at the Expo and Fair, saying that it reflects Vietnam’s great attention to further developing the friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership with neighbouring China.

He affirmed that the Party and Government of China have always attached importance to the development of win-win and mutually beneficial relations with Vietnam.

Chinese side also pledged to actively coordinate with Vietnam in regional and international forums.-VNA