Deputy PM highly delighted at Vietnam-China all-around cooperation

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh (L) and Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi

Meeting with Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on December 16 within the framework of the fourth Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Luang Prabang, northern Laos, Minh suggested the two sides work together to effectively implement the common high-level agreements and perceptions, and to maintain the trend of the sound development in bilateral relations, thereby intensifying high-level delegation exchange and making careful preparations for the 12th meeting of the Steering Committee for Vietnam- China Bilateral Cooperation slated for next year.

He asked China to continue applying effective measures to further improve Vietnam’s trade deficit and take more steps to facilitate the consumption of Vietnamese goods such as fruits, aquatic products, pork and milk products in the vast Chinese market.

With regard to the sea issue, Minh applauded the positive outcomes of the negotiation and cooperation mechanisms in the less sensitive fields on the sea between the two nations, as well as the initial progress in the recent negotiations on the Code of Conducts on the East Sea (COC) between ASEAN and China.

He asked both sides to continue to seriously realize the common perceptions of Party and State senior leaders and the Vietnam-China Agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of sea-related issues.

Minh urged the two sides to persist the resolution of disputes and differences by peaceful measures on the basis of respect for international law, the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the legitimate interests of each other, control differences and maintain peace and stability on the sea.

For his part, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi affirmed that the Party and Government of China attribute great importance to the constant consolidation and development of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries.

China is ready to join hands with Vietnam in increasing the strategic exchanges, consolidating political trust, deepening mutually beneficial cooperation, satisfactorily setting the differences, and promoting the healthy and stable bilateral relations for mutual practical benefits, he stressed.

The Chinese official assured his nation’s willingness to work hand in hand with Vietnam to well prepare for the visits by leaders, as well as the 12th meeting of the Steering Committee for Vietnam – China Bilateral Cooperation in China next year. China backs the opening of its door for imports from other countries, with priority given to its neighbours, including Vietnam.

Concerning the Mekong – Lancang cooperation, the two sides affirmed their recognition of importance to it and consented to continue their participation and positive contributions to the mechanism, while augmenting cooperation for mutual, inclusive and fair benefits for all participating nations.