Vietnam desires to foster comprehensive strategic partnership with China

The Party, State, and people of Vietnam always view the consolidation and development of Vietnam-China relations as a strategic choice and a top priority in its overall foreign policy of Vietnam, Phoc told Ding.

Vietnam wishes to work together with China to ensure that bilateral relations continue to develop steadily, healthily, and sustainably, he added.

Ding for his part welcomed the Vietnamese government delegation to the opening ceremony of the 21st China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) and the 21st China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (CABIS) in naming city of Guangxi, and emphasized that China steadfastly supports Vietnam in its economic development and national modernization along the socialist path that suits the country’s circumstances.

The two Deputy PMs expressed their pleasure at the positive developments in the relationship between the two Parties and two countries in recent times, particularly the historic reciprocal visits by their top leaders that outlined strategic directions for the development of bilateral relations. They agreed on the importance of building a Vietnam-China community that shares a strategic future.

To further deepen Vietnam-China relations, they both concurred on enhancing the direction for relevant ministries, sectors, and localities to actively implement and concretize the high-level agreements and common perceptions, by strengthening substantive cooperation in various fields to ensure that the relations continue to develop steadily and healthily, and achieve even greater results in the near future.

Phoc suggested that both sides increase high-level visits, effectively implement important exchange mechanisms between the two Parties and countries, and promote substantive cooperation in various fields to achieve new progress, particularly in connecting railway and road infrastructure across the Vietnam-China border.

He requested that the Chinese government actively support Vietnam in soon conducting a feasibility study for the standard gauge railway line from Lao Cai to Hanoi and Haiphong, and to expedite the planning of standard gauge railway routes from Lang Sơn to Hanoi, and from Mong Cai to Ha Long and Haiphong.

He expected that China would continue opening markets for Vietnamese agricultural and aquatic products and to encourage its enterprises to invest in quality, effective, high-tech projects and new sectors in Vietnam. He also emphasized the importance of actively implementing friendly exchanges and cultural and educational cooperation, as well as fostering cooperation in aviation and tourism.

Phoc urged both sides to effectively manage the land border, strictly implement agreements and common perceptions of their top leaders, and maintain peace and stability at sea. He emphasized the need to better control and resolve maritime disputes in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Acknowledging Phoc’s proposals, Ding affirmed that the Party and government of China regard the relationship with Vietnam as a priority direction in China’s neighbourhood diplomacy. He expressed a desire for both sides to continue high-level contacts, strengthen political trust, promote substantive cooperation, expand cultural exchanges, reinforce traditional friendly relations, effectively manage differences, and jointly advance the building of a Vietnam-China community that shares a strategic future, in line with common perceptions of their top leaders.

The same day, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc met with executives of Huawei Technologies, China Energy Engineering Corporation (CEEC) and Power Construction Corporation of China.