Vietnam gives top priority to developing relations with China

Meeting with the Chinese leader, Chinh noted that important common perceptions reached between the two Party leaders during Xi’s visit, especially their commitment to building a Vietnam - China community of shared future that carries strategic significance serve as an important orientation to bring bilateral relations to new heights, with more stable, healthy and sustainable development.

He affirmed that the Government of Vietnam will work closely alongside the Government of China to strengthen coordination and direct relevant agencies and localities to concretize those high-level common perceptions, contributing to developing bilateral relations in a steady, sustainable and durable manner.

The PM reviewed the practical cooperation between the two countries in recent times, and said that the two sides should strengthen strategic exchanges, better promote the important role of the defense-security cooperation pillar, improve the effectiveness of practical cooperation in all fields, and coordinate and support each other within multilateral frameworks.

He proposed that China continue to expand imports of Vietnamese goods, including agricultural and aquatic products; further promote investment in Vietnam’s key areas such as high technology, green transformation, and strategic infrastructure construction; completely resolve problems in a number of long-standing projects; and accelerate the implementation of non-refundable aid projects.

He also proposed that China expand financial and monetary cooperation; consider establishing a working group to promote tourism recovery between the two countries; enhance local and people-to-people exchanges; and strengthen coordination at multilateral forums.

According to the PM, the two sides should well control disagreements and properly handle maritime issues in the spirit of friendship, mutual respect, and in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), not letting the East Sea issue impact bilateral relations.

Xi for his part concurred with Chinh’s proposals and affirmed that both China and Vietnam are important partners of each other. He urged the two sides to accelerate strategic connectivity, effectively deploy cooperation plans within the framework of ‘Two Corridors, One Belt’ and ‘Belt and Road’ initiative, and ramp up practical cooperation in all fields, bringing practical benefits for the peoples of the two countries.

He proposed that the two sides work together to beef up economic and trade recovery, emphasizing that China is ready to expand imports of high-quality goods and agricultural products from Vietnam.

He underscored the need to increase cooperation to maintain security and social order stability, and to expand cultural and people-to-people exchanges to enhance understanding and closeness between the peoples of the two countries.

The Chinese leader also proposed that the two sides strengthen coordination at multilateral forums in order to build a fair and open international order; strictly implement high-level agreements and common perceptions, adequately control and handle disagreements, and jointly maintain peace, stability, and cooperation in the region and the wider world.