Deputy PM Minh holds talks with Chinese Foreign Minister

Politburo member Minh made the remarks during his April 1 talks with State Counselor and  FM of China Wang Yi, who is on an official visit to Viet Nam to attend the sixth Greater Mekong Subregion Summit (GMS-6). 

The Vietnamese official congratulated Wang Yi on his fresh appointment as the State Counselor of China, whilst conveying his congratulations over China’s successful organization of the first session of the 13th National People’s Congress and the first meeting of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (new tenure), which elected a new-tenure leadership for the country.

The Vietnamese State and Government attach great importance to and want to further develop the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership with China, Minh said.

The two sides agreed on a plan to promote and well prepare for the visits and meetings between the senior leaders of the two Parties and the two countries, to accelerate cooperation between the two nations’ ministries and sectors, and to expand exchanges between localities and people of the two sides. They also reached consensus on strengthening the monitoring and facilitation of the common perceptions of their senior leaders and the cooperation agreements reached between them, in addition to actively supporting the resolution of the existing and arising problems, and maintaining the stable and active development of bilateral relations.

Deputy PM Minh recommended measures to promote the important role of the Viet Nam-China steering committee for bilateral cooperation in coordinating the overall cooperation activities between the two countries’ ministries, sectors, and localities. He also stressed the need to enhance coordination between the two Foreign Ministries in boosting cooperation between the two countries.

The deputy PM asked China to make it easier for Viet Nam to export its advantageous goods to the Chinese market, and develop bilateral trade in a balanced and healthy manner, as well as help for the effective implementation of China’s aid packages for Viet Nam. 

He urged strengthening cooperation in the fields of agriculture, environment, climate change response, science - technology, finance, transport, and economy, thus enhancing mutual economic trust between the two sides.

Regarding the sea issues, the Deputy PM expressed concern about the potential factors escalating tensions and instability at sea, stating Viet Nam’s legitimate rights and interests should be respected adhering to the provisions of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). 

He suggested the two sides seriously implement the common perceptions reached by their senior leaders, and the “Agreement on the Basic Principles Guiding the Resolution of Maritime Issues between Viet Nam and China”; persist in settling disputes in the East Sea by peaceful means and in accordance with international laws, especially the 1982 UNCLOS; and push for new developments in the government-level negotiations on territorial borders, the operations of the three working groups on the waters outside the Gulf of Tonkin, and cooperation in the less-sensitive fields at sea. 

He also highlighted the need for both sides to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), to actively cooperate with other ASEAN countries to discuss the specific and substantive contents of the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC), to well control maritime disputes, to refrain from actions that could complicate the situation and expand disputes,and to maintain peace and stability in the East Sea.

For his part, Chinese FM Wang Yi congratulated Viet Nam on its successful organization of the GMS-6, stating that the summit has contributed significantly to accelerating cooperation between the GMS member countries, and improving Viet Nam’s international position.

He affirmed that the Chinese Party and Government attach importance to unceasingly strengthening and developing the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between Viet Nam and China, adding that China pledges joint efforts with Viet Nam to facilitate strategic exchanges, increase political trust, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, satisfactorily handle disputes, and accelerate the healthy and stable development of bilateral ties, thus bringing about practical benefits for the two countries and their people, while actively contributing to peace, stability and prosperity in the region.

Following their talks, the two sides met with the press to inform the contents and outcomes of their meeting./.

                                                                                                                  By Vien Nhu