Vietnam, China reaffirm relationship

Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (Source:VNA)

Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Chinese Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli reiterated the two countries’ policy of treasuring their relationship during talks in Beijing, China on September 15.

Deputy PM Phuc is currently on an official visit to China, where he will attend the China-ASEAN Exhibition Fair and the 12 th China-ASEAN Trade and Investment Summit in Guangxi province.

The officials discussed measures to efficiently implement agreements reached by the two countries’ top leaders to develop the comprehensive cooperative strategic partnership in a stable and sustainable manner.

The measures include maintaining high-level visits; stepping up people-to-people exchanges and ministry, sector and locality cooperation; accelerating economic, investment, finance ties and infrastructure connectivity; and facilitating border economy development.

Deputy PM Phuc suggested the Chinese Government support its businesses by increasing imports of Vietnamese agro-forestry and aquatic products and expanding investments in Vietnam.

He asked for the Chinese Government’s coordination in clearing bottlenecks in joint projects currently underway in Vietnam and in sharing of monetary policies and foreign exchange and financial system management experience.

He said Vietnam welcomes and will be active in China-proposed regional connectivity initiatives following the principles of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefits, suggesting both sides work on cooperative transport projects like the Lao Cai-Hanoi-Hai Phong express railway and the Mong Cai-Van Don and Dong Dang-Tra Linh expressways.

On maritime issues, Deputy PM Phuc emphasised that sovereignty- and national interest-related issues are sacred and Party and State leaders of the two countries had reached common perceptions on the issues, including working together to manage sea disputes, not taking any actions that could complicate or worsen disputes and maintaining peace and stability in the East Sea for peace, stability and development in the region in line with international law – particularly the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Vice-Premier Zhang congratulated Vietnam on its 70 years of construction and development accomplishments and welcomed Deputy PM Phuc’s visit.

He hoped to retain high-level contacts and strategic dialogues, reinforce political trust and expand people-to-people exchange.

After the talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing of several cooperation documents, including an agreement on non-refundable aid between the two governments and the minutes from the first meeting of the working group on monetary cooperation between the two State banks.-VNA