PM receives Chinese President

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) receives Chinese Party General Secretary, President Xi Jinping, Da Nang City, November 11, 2017 - Pthoto: VGP/Quang Hieu

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc made that statement ah his meeting with General Secretary of the Communist Party of China and President Xi Jinping in Da Nang City on November 1.

He expressed his delight at the progress in bilateral ties over the past time, stressing that China remained the largest trade and tourism partner of Viet Nam while Viet Nam is still the largest trade partner of China in ASEAN.

He suggested the two sides well implement the “Two Corridors, One Belt” framework and “Belt and Road” initiative, and improve infrastructure, particularly in border areas.

The PM urged China to take effective measures to reduce Viet Nam’s trade deficit and import more Vietnamese goods such as agro-forestry-aquatic products, striving to foster stable and balanced trade and achieve the bilateral trade target of US$200 billion in 2025.

The government leader called for the effective implementation of cooperation projects in finance, agriculture, environment, transport and science-technology.

He proposed China provide more preferential credits for Viet Nam and make it easier for the country to get access to soft loans within bilateral and multilateral frameworks.

PM Phuc also suggested stepping up studies on rice cross-breeding adapted with drought and saline intrusion, jointly dealing with arising issues in fishing at sea, increasing coordination in the use, management and protection of water resources across the border as well as fostering cooperation in tourism, transport, friendship exchanges and mutually-beneficial ties among localities.

On maritime issues, PM Phuc said both sides need to consistently settle disputes by peaceful measures in accordance with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982.

He proposed both sides strictly implement the Agreement on Basic Principles guiding the Settlement of Issues at Sea between Viet Nam and China, well control disputes, avoid actions that expand and further complicate disputes, maintain peace and stability in the East Sea, and accelerate demarcation and cooperation for mutual development in disputed waters.

Mr. Xi Jinping affirmed that the Party, government and people of China attach utmost importance to strengthening friendly neighborliness and comprehensive cooperation with Viet Nam, saying the stable and healthy development of bilateral relations is conformable with the interests of both nations and aspirations of their people.

The Chinese leader stressed the need to increase high-level meetings to discuss major issues in bilateral relations, promote strategic connectivity for development, facilitate trade and investment ties, foster cooperation in key fields and major projects, enhance people-to-people friendship exchanges, strictly implement common perceptions reached by senior leaders and maintain peace and security at sea for the overall complexion of the bilateral relationship.

He spoke highly of Viet Nam’s thorough preparations for and congratulated Vietnam on successfully hosting the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting.

The Chinese leader also extended his sympathy to the Vietnamese government and localities that were recently hit by natural disasters and declared that the Chinese government will offer CNY10 million in aid to Viet Nam to help with post-disaster recovery efforts.

By Hoang Ha