Vietnamese, Chinese FMs hold frank discussion on issues at sea

Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son held a meeting with Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang on June 25 at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, with this taking place within the framework of the official visit to the People's Republic of China by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh,

Amid an atmosphere of sincerity, friendship, and openness, the two sides held a detailed discussion on measures which seek to promote mutual relations between the two parties and the two countries.

FM Son emphasised that the Vietnamese side attaches great importance to the development of a comprehensive strategic co-operative partnership with China, adding that this represents a top priority in terms of the nation’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralization, and diversification of external relations.

In response, the Chinese diplomat noted that China views its ties with Vietnam as a priority direction in its regional foreign policy, as well as in China-ASEAN relations.

The two sides agreed that PM Chinh's official visit to the northern neighbour is of great significance for further consolidating and solidifying the high-level common perceptions achieved during the official visit to China previously made by Party Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong back in 2022, as well as contributing to pushing up joint ties towards healthy and sustainable development.

The two FMs highly appreciated the positive development momentum of relations between the two parties and the two countries over recent times.

As the standing body of the Steering Committee for bilateral co-operation between both sides, the diplomats consented to continue working closely in terms of intensifying exchanges and meetings at all levels.

This is along with supporting ministries, sectors, and localities to deepen substantive linkages in multiple areas, enhance friendly exchanges between the people of the two countries, expand ties at multilateral forums, properly handling disagreements, and jointly maintaining a peaceful and stable environment in the region.

Emphasizing some Vietnamese interests in co-operation between the two countries, FM Bui Thanh Son suggested that economic and trade ties are boosted as part of balanced and sustainable development.

He therefore suggested that China open the door and create favourable conditions for Vietnamese goods, especially agricultural products, to be exported to the Chinese market. Other efforts include increasing its high-quality investment in Vietnam, collaborating to handle problems in some projects, and speeding up the use of some Chinese aid for Vietnam.

Expressing agreement with the co-operation proposals of FM Son, Chinese Minister Gang emphasised that both nations have become increasingly important economic and trade partners of each other.

The Chinese side is therefore willing to join Vietnam in promoting the complementary advantages between both economies in order to increase imports of Vietnamese goods, especially agricultural products, as well as working to facilitate the clearance of goods at the land border area between the two countries.

China will seek to maintain a smooth supply chain and a production chain, encourage reputable Chinese enterprises to invest in the Vietnamese market in fields suitable to the country’s development needs.

Minister Son asked the two sides to respect each other's legitimate interests in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The two sides also held an in-depth discussion on international and regional issues of shared concern.