Vietnamese, Chinese FMs seek measures to promote bilateral ties

Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son (L) meets his Chinese counterpart Qin Gang in Beijing on June 25 (Photo: VNA)

Beijing (VNA) – Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son andhis Chinese counterpart Qin Gang discussed measures to further promote therelations between the Parties and States of Vietnam and China during their meeting in Beijing onJune 25.

Son, who is accompanying Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on an official visit to China, underlined that Vietnam attaches greatimportance to developing the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnershipwith China, which is a top priority in Vietnam’s external policy ofindependence, self-reliance, multilateralisation and diversification of foreignrelations.

Qin affirmed that China considers Vietnam a priority inits neighbourhood diplomacy as well as in its relations with the Association ofSoutheast Asian Nations (ASEAN). 
    
The two sides agreed that Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’songoing visit is of great significance in continuing to reinforce and concretise high-level joint perceptions reached between the two countries during PartyGeneral Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s visit to China in last October,contributing to promoting the development of Vietnam-China relations in a stable, healthy andsustainable manner.

An overview of the meeting (Photo: VNA)

The two FMs hailed the positive development trend of therelations between the two Parties and countries over the recent past. As the standingagencies of the Steering Committee for the Vietnam-China relations, the twosides agreed to continue to work closely together in promoting meetings andexchanges at all levels between the two countries, while supportingministries, sectors and localities of the two countries to deepen theirpartnership in all fields, expanding bilateral cooperation at multilateral forums, andproperly settling disputes, thus maintaining a peaceful and stable environmentin the region.   

Highlighting a number of issues of Vietnam’s concern incooperation between the two countries, FM Son proposed that the two sides strive for balanced and sustainable economic-trade collaboration. He suggestedthat China open its market and create optimal conditions for Vietnamese goods,especially farm produce to enter China, while increasing high-qualityinvestment in Vietnam and coordinating with Vietnam in dealing with obstacles in a number of joint projects and speeding up the disbursement of Chinese grants in Vietnam. 
   
Agreeing with Son’s proposal, Qin underlined that the twocountries are becoming increasingly important economic and trade partner ofeach other. China is willing to work with Vietnam to optimise the supplementaryadvantages of the two economies, affirming that his countries will increase theimport of Vietnamese products, especially farm produce, and create favourableconditions for custom clearance of goods through road border gates between the twocountries, thus maintaining the smooth supply and production chain.

China will also encourage its reputable businesses to investin Vietnam in areas of Vietnam’s demand, he stated.

The two FMs also had sincere and straightforward discussionson issues at sea, concurring to continue to strictly implement agreements and perceptions reached by leaders of the two Parties and States, wellcontrol disputes and properly settle issues at sea.

Son said that the two sides should respect each other’slegitimate interests in line with international law, including the UNConvention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982.

At the meeting, the two FMs also discussed international andregional issues of shared concern./.

VNA