PM calls for joint efforts in satisfactorily handling sea-related issues
VOV.VN - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has suggested combined efforts in maintaining peace and stability, and satisfactorily handling issues at sea in the spirit of the common perceptions and respect for law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The Vietnamese government leader made the statement during his online talks with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on June 4, during which the former said that preserving and developing the time-honoured friendship and the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership with China is the top priority in Vietnam’s external policy.
Chinh also briefed Li on the outcomes of the 13th National Party Congress as well as the foreign policy of Vietnam, adding that the Vietnamese Party and Government have also regarded the enhancement of the bilateral relationship in a healthy and effective manner as an important factor behind stability and development in each nation, thus contributing to peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world as a whole.
Chinh congratulated the Communist Party of China on the occasion of its upcoming 100th anniversary, and expressed his confidence that Chinese people will record even greater achievements to make remarkable contributions to maintaining regional and global peace, stability, development and prosperity.
Both leaders highlighted the positive development of bilateral ties in a multitude of fields on the basis of the time-honoured friendship and direct instructions of key leaders of the Parties and countries, notably Vietnam’s Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, and Party General Secretary and State President of China Xi Jinping, as well as efforts made by both sides.
They also shared the view on the significance of the traditional and friendly neighbourliness, the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, and measures to reinforce the ties in the time ahead.
Both sides consented to maintain regular exchanges and meetings at all levels flexibly in the present context, improve the quality, efficiency and sustainability of cooperation in economy, trade and investment, share experience in COVID-19 fight and socio-economic development, and boost closer coordination at regional and international mechanisms.
They exchanged invitations to visit their respective countries at a suitable time when the pandemic is brought under control.
The pair also agreed upon the need to take measures to deal with Vietnam’s trade deficit, boost the import of Vietnamese agro-forestry-fishery products, particularly such fruits as lychee, mango, dragon fruit and longan that are in the harvest season.
It is essential to avoid disruption in supply and production chains between the two countries, and accelerate cooperation projects, including the Cat Linh-Ha Dong metro line.
They suggested increasing collaboration in the pandemic fight, and seeking suitable, effective solutions so that China can help Vietnam map out its vaccine strategy.
The leaders accentuated the significance of fishery cooperation in the Gulf of Tonkin, and pushing ahead with the signing of an agreement on establishing a hotline to deal with emerging incidents.
Regarding sea-related issues, Chinh suggested joint efforts in maintaining peace and stability, and satisfactorily handling issues at sea in the spirit of the common perceptions at the high level and respect for law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS).
The two sides should control differences and take heed to interests, legal and legitimate rights as well as situation of each other to settle the East Sea issue, he said, calling for joint efforts with ASEAN to speed up the building of an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).
For his part, Li congratulated the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) on the success of its 13th National Congress, and achievements Vietnam has achieved in socio-economic development, and the pandemic fight.
The Chinese Party, State Council and people place importance on the ties with Vietnam, and stand ready to deepen the friendly neighbourliness, bringing pragmatic interests to the two countries’ people.
China will step up cooperation with and supports Vietnam in COVID-19 prevention and control, and take into consideration Vietnam’s suggestions for cooperation in economy, trade and investment, he said.
Li said that China aspires to accelerate negotiation mechanisms at sea and work together with Vietnam as well as ASEAN to soon reach the COC in the time to come.