China a strategic choice and top priority in Vietnam's foreign policy

The affirmation was made by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh during his talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Nanning city, Guangxi province of China, on September 16 on the occasion of attending the 20th China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) and China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (CABIS).

During the talks, the two Government leaders showed their elation at and hailed the progress in Vietnam-China relationship in recent years, especially since the historical China visit last year by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

The Vietnamese cabinet leader conveyed greetings from Party leader Trong, State President Vo Van Thuong, and National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue to Chinese Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China Zhao Leji, and Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Wang Huning.

Premier Li also conveyed regards of Chinese high-ranking leaders and others to their Vietnamese counterparts, and asserted that his nation always considers its relationship with Vietnam a priority in the overall framework of its neighbourhood policy.

China backs Vietnam’s efforts to build and successfully develop its socialist-oriented market economy that suits the country's situation, and stays ready to keep expanding and deepening bilateral substantial cooperation, while greatly appreciating Vietnam's active and effective participation in and its important contributions to the CAEXPO and CABIS.

Both sides consented to continue effectively realising the common perceptions reached by their Party leaders to further strengthen and deepen bilateral comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, as well as the agreements and results achieved during PM Chinh's official visit to China in June this year and other high-level visits.

Accordingly, they will facilitate all-level visits, bolster substantial cooperation in economy, trade, investment, and people-to-people exchanges, maintain their coordination in multilateral mechanisms and forums, manage land borders effectively; and properly control differences while jointly maintaining peace and stability at sea.

The Vietnamese Government leader underlined the importance of the Vietnam-China relations in the overall foreign policy of each country, and stressed the need for both sides to leverage geographical advantages and complement each other to nurture substantive cooperation in balanced and sustainable development areas.

He suggested that China accelerate the market opening for Vietnam's agricultural and aquatic products, create favourable conditions for the early establishment of Vietnam's trade promotion offices in Chengdu (Sichuan) and Haikou (Hainan), and jointly improve customs efficiency to prevent goods congestion at border crossings.

  
PM Chinh affirmed Vietnam’s readiness to offer favourable conditions for Chinese firms to do business in the country, especially in large-scale, high-quality and modern technology projects that represent China's level of development, thereby bringing about economic and social benefits.

According to him, the two countries need to enhance transportation and border infrastructure connectivity, study joint work in planning and building several railway lines in northern Vietnam, and improve cargo transportation capacity bilaterally and through third countries.

Chinh called for joint efforts to boost tourism cooperation, resolve any lingering issues in several projects in the spirit of harmonising interests and sharing risks, and accelerate the implementation of non-refundable aids from China to Vietnam.

The Chinese Premier affirmed that China will continue opening its market for Vietnamese goods, especially quality agricultural and aquatic products, expand the scale and improve the efficiency of trade by upgrading border infrastructure, policy connectivity, and the building of smart border crossings. Efforts will be stepped up to promote transactions using the Chinese yuan for trade between the two nations.

He said he has directed relevant Chinese ministries to actively engage with Vietnam to step up specific cooperation areas and jointly build stable supply and production chains.

Proposing increased people-to-people exchanges and public awareness of bilateral traditional friendship, especially among the young generations, Premier Li said the Chinese Government will encourage its citizens to travel to Vietnam, support the opening of new air routes between the two countries, and hasten the implementation of humanitarian, healthcare, and education assistance projects in Vietnam.

The two leaders agreed on the importance of managing differences properly, and maintaining peace and stability in the East Sea.

Chinh asked the two sides continue strictly follow the high-level common perceptions and the agreement on the fundamental principles guiding the settlement of the maritime issues between Vietnam and China. He called for respect to each other's legitimate rights and interests, settling disputes and differences through peaceful means in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

They also promised to work hand in hand together at global and regional forums.

On the occasion, Premier Li extended his profound condolences to the families of the victims in a disastrous fire in Hanoi on September 12.