Vietnam, China look forward to stronger ties of friendship

At the talks, President Quang said, “On behalf of the Vietnamese Party, State and people, I congratulate great achievements the Chinese Party, State and people have gained in their comprehensive reform. We believe that under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) led by General Secretary and President Xi Jinping, China will gain further achievements to become a modern, wealthy, democratic, civilized country and to contribute to peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and the world.”

He told his host that he wishes the 19th Congress of the CPC set for later this year would be a success. He said he welcomes President Xi to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting 2017, assuring host that the Vietnamese agencies concerned would work closely with Chinese counterparts to make the best preparations for the visit. 

Vietnam and China are close neighbours with many similarities, Quang said,adding that the traditional friendship founded and fostered by Presidents Ho Chi Minh and Mao Zhedong during the national liberation cause has become a common valuable asset of the two nations that needs to be maintained, inherited and upheld. 

The vigorous and stable growth of the Vietnam-China friendly collaboration is an objective requirement that matches the basic and long-term interests of the two people and brings benefit to peace, stability and development in the region and the world, he added

Chinese Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping in turn expressed his belief that President Tran Dai Quang’s visit to China will add fresh impetus to furthering bilateral ties.

He expressed his delight at paying the forthcoming State-level visit to Vietnam and attending the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting 2017 in the central city of Da Nang, stressing that China supports Vietnam in the successful organisation of the event. 

Both sides agreed to maintain visit exchanges between leaders of the two Parties and countries, organize a meeting of representative of the two Political Bureaus, effectively implement the cooperation program between the two Parties in the 2016-2020 period, and promote cooperation between local Party organizations, and exchanges between localities.

The two leaders concurred to boost economic cooperation, and increase bilateral trade. Regarding maritime issues, President Tran Dai Quang reiterated Vietnam’s consistent stance of pursuing the settlement of disputes in the East Sea by peaceful means, in line with international law, and with respect for diplomatic and legal processes.

The Vietnamese State leader urged the two sides to seriously abide by agreed common perceptions and signed agreements and commitments including the Agreement on Fundamental Principles Guiding the Settlement of sea-related issues, well control disputes, not to take actions to complicate and expand disputes, appropriately address fishing issues and fishermen’s activities, promote negotiations on maritime issues, strengthen cooperation in less sensitive issues at sea, fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and work with ASEAN to finalize the Code of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea in 2017 on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the signing of DOC. 

Quang also asked China to employ measures to gradually reduce Vietnam’s trade deficit with the country, including boosting the import of Vietnamese farm produce.

He suggested augmenting cooperation in agriculture, the environment, science-technology, and climate change response, and China helping Vietnam create rice varieties adaptable to drought and saltwater intrusion in the Mekong delta.

The two nations should soon discuss renewing an agreement on a hotline to tackle unexpected issues relating to fishing at sea and boost cooperation in the sustainable use of water resources of the Lancang-Mekong River and in responding to water resource security, environmental protection and nuclear safety, he stressed.

At the end of the talks, President Tran Dai Quang and Chinese Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping witnessed the signing of a number of bilateral cooperation agreements covering economic and technological cooperation between the two governments.

On the occasion, the Presidents and their wives visited a space exhibiting photos depicting Vietnam taken by Chinese photographers at the Great Hall of the People.

The same day, Chinese Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping and his wife hosted a banquette at People’s Great Hall in honor of President Tran Dai Quang, his wife and entourage.