Vietnam, China look towards long-term, stable, and more effective relationship

The consensus was reached during talks held between General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Nguyen Phu Trong and General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping  on December 12 in Hanoi following a welcome ceremony for the top Chinese leader.

Welcoming President Xi and his delegation, the Vietnamese Party chief emphasized that the third visit to Vietnam by CPC General Secretary and President Xi Jinping takes place amid both nations celebrating the 15th anniversary of their comprehensive strategic co-operative partnership. This deal was launched back in 2008 and indicates the top Chinese leader’s special sentiment towards the traditional friendship, the current stature of bilateral relations, as well as positive prospects ahead for the two countries relationship in the future.

General Secretary Trong said he believes that the visit is a new historical milestone, bringing relations between the two Parties and countries to new heights, thereby meeting the aspirations and common interests of the two peoples for the causes of peace, co-operation, and development in the region and the wider world.

The two leaders held an in-depth discussion regarding the situation of each Party and each country, the relationship between the two Parties and the two countries, and regional and international issues of mutual concern.

Trong affirmed that the consistent foreign policy of the Vietnamese Party and State is independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, co-operation, development, diversification and multilateralisation of external relations, and deeper international integration. Indeed, Vietnam is a friend, a trusted partner, and an active and responsible member of the international community, he added.

The nation considers developing relations with China to be a top priority and a strategic choice and therefore supports their strong development, making increasingly important contributions to the cause of peace and progress of humanity, he went on to say.

The Vietnamese Party leader noted his appreciation for the Chinese people's assistance to the revolutionary cause and the socialism building and national development process that has taken place in Vietnam.

President Xi Jinping warmly congratulated and applauded the achievements that Vietnam has recorded in nearly 40 years of reform, especially the important and comprehensive achievements in carrying out the Resolution adopted at the 13th National Party Congress which has served to promote the nation's combined strength and constantly enhanced its international influence and position.

He outlined his belief that under the resilient leadership of the CPV led by General Secretary Trong, the Party, State, and people of Vietnam will definitely be successful in realizing the major goals and tasks set by the 13th Party Congress. This will create an important premise for the successful implementation of the two 100-year goals outlined by the 13th Party Congress.

He affirmed that the Party, Government, and people of China greatly value relations with the Vietnamese side, considering the country to be a priority direction in its neighboring foreign policy.

As a result, China steadfastly supports Vietnam's cause of building socialism towards future prosperous development and people enjoying a happy life, President Xi asserted.

The two leaders looked back at the process of developing relations between the two Parties and countries, agreeing that the traditional friendship of both comrades and brothers established and nurtured by President Ho Chi Minh and Chairman Mao Zedong, together with other senior leaders, is a valuable asset of the two peoples that needs to be continuously promoted.

They also reviewed the past 15 years when the two countries established a comprehensive strategic co-operative partnership in 2008, with the motto "friendly neighbors, comprehensive cooperation, long-term stability, towards future" and the spirit of "good neighbors, good friends, good comrades, good partners".

From highly valuing the relationship between the two Parties and two nations, with achievements being recorded in the comprehensive strategic co-operative partnership over the past 15 years and meeting new requirements, the two sides consented to build a community of shared future with strategic significance. These efforts will strive to boost the happiness of the two peoples for peace and progress of humanity in accordance with the UN Charter and international law with the principles of mutual respect; equal co-operation for mutual benefit; respect of each other's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity and perseverance in resolving disagreements through peaceful means.

According to these orientations and principles, both sides concurred to continuously consolidate political trust and enhance exchanges between their senior leaders through diverse, flexible forms, while also promoting the strategic role of Party channel relations for the overall bilateral relationship.

They consented to step up defence and security linkages to be more substantial to become one of the pillars of bilateral relations; boost sustainable and deeper economic, trade, and investment co-operation; and strengthen education on traditional relations between the two Parties and countries.

This should be done along with accelerating the building of a stronger social foundation for relations between the two Parties and nations, reinforcing closer multilateral ties for the greater benefit of the two countries whilst making positive contributions to the common interests of the international community, they stated.

Regarding the sea issues, the two leaders held a sincere and frank exchange and underlined the need to better control and actively resolve disagreements at sea to maintain peace and stability in the East Sea and the wider region.

The Vietnamese Party chief asked both sides to realize high-level common perceptions, respect each other's legitimate interests, not further complicate the situation, and settle disputes through peaceful measures in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982). This is along with implementing the Declaration of the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and speeding up the finalisation of a code of conduct (COC) in the waters in line with the UNCLOS.

After their talks, the two Party leaders listened to introductions to 36 co-operation agreements across a variety of fields signed between departments, ministries, sectors, and localities of the two countries, thereby demonstrating the overall achievements recorded by both sides during this visit.

The Vietnamese Party chief invited President Xi to attend a tea party, during which they reviewed their previous meetings and discussions, while enjoying the unique tea ceremony of Vietnam.

On the same day, General Secretary Trong and President Vo Van Thuong were joined by their wives to host a grand banquet in honour of President Xi, his wife, and delegation.