Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu. (Photo: VNA) During their talks in Ho Chi Minh City on February4, the officials focused on how to concretise the joint statement oncontinuing to deepen and elevate the comprehensive strategic cooperativepartnership between the two countries, and to build a Vietnam-China communitywith a shared future that carries strategic significance.
They noted with pleasure the positive developmentpace of the bilateral relationship, and its milestones over the past time,especially the visit to China by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong inOctober 2022, and the state visit to Vietnam by Party General Secretary andPresident of China Xi Jinping in December 2023.
The officials agreed to step up high-level exchanges,contacts and visits, effectively implement cooperation mechanisms between thetwo Parties, and well organise the 16th meeting of the Vietnam-ChinaSteering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation.
The two sides will also enhance collaboration innational defence, security, external affairs, culture, education and tourism,and people-to-people exchange, while expanding cooperation in economy andtrade, and transport connectivity, for the sake of their peoples and businesses.
They will work together to better manage the commonborder line, and satisfactorily address border issues lingering or emerging, in linewith their reached documents and agreements.
Vu, who is also Secretary General of the SteeringCommittee for Vietnam – China Bilateral Cooperation, suggested the two sidesfoster their transport connectivity, especially roads and railways connectingVietnam’s northern provinces and China’s southern and southwestern regions.
He called on China to expand its import ofVietnamese agro-aquatic products and facilitate the establishment of Vietnamesetrade promotion offices in Haikou, Chengdu, and Nanjing.
The two sides should work to soon negotiate and signa framework agreement on rice trade, he said, suggesting China supportVietnamese businesses that have received the national brand title to build distributionchannels and develop brands in the neighbouring market.
Vu also suggested the two sides expand collaborationin investment and direct relevant agencies and enterprises to remove prolongedobstacles to a number of industrial projects, speed up the implementation of those in Vietnam using China’s non-refundable aid, and form a working group topromote tourism cooperation.
The two countries should strengthen water resourcescooperation, effectively and sustainably using Mekong River water resources, forthe legitimate interests of all parties, especially downstream countries, he continued.
Sharing Vu’s views, Nong Rong, who is also SecretaryGeneral of the Steering Committee for China-Vietnam Bilateral Cooperation,affirmed that China is ready to expand the import of high-quality agriculturalproducts from Vietnam, and accelerate the licensing process for the officialimport of Vietnamese fresh coconut, citrus fruits, and avocado.
He proposed the two sides push ahead with the buildingof the smart border gate model to improve customs clearance efficiency and ease goodscongestion at border gates, expand cooperation in green development, digitaleconomy, and new energy development, further their coordination and cooperationat regional and international multilateral forums.
The officials exchanged views on maritime issues candidlyand sincerely, emphasising the importance of maintaining peace and stability atsea amidst the complex development of the international and regional situation.
The two sides consented to effectively implement high-levelcommon perceptions and the Vietnam-China agreement on basic principles guidingthe settlement of sea-related issues, carry forward negotiation mechanisms, andmake efforts to control and better resolve differences at sea based on the sequential and gradual principle, easy first and hard later.
They will work together with ASEAN countries tofully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties inthe East Sea (DOC), striving to soon achieve an effective and substantive Codeof Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in accordance with international law,especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982UNCLOS).
Vu proposed the two sides respect each other'ssovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction established in line withinternational law and the 1982 UNCLOS, prevent complex incidents affecting thebilateral relationship, and properly handle issues regarding fishing vesselsand fishermen, contributing to peace and stability in the region./.
VNA
