Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Quoc Dung, head of Vietnam’s ASEAN SOM (Photo: VNA)Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Quoc Dung,head of Vietnam’s ASEAN SOM, made the statement during an interview given to reporters following the meeting and the Special ASEAN-China Foreign Minister’sMeeting, held virtually in China’s Chongqing city. The Vietnamese delegation tothe events was led by Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son.
The ministers reviewed and proposed orientations topromote the strategic partnership and comprehensive cooperation between ASEANand China, and the MLC mechanism in the time ahead, significantly contributing topeace, security, stability and prospereous development in the region, Dungsaid.
At the Special ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers’Meeting, the countries stressed the strategic importance of the ASEAN-Chinarelationship to the region, as well as its contributions to development in eachcountry.
They consented to give high priority tocollaboration in COVID-19 combat and recovery.
China pledged to further help ASEAN countriesimprove their medical capacity in response to the pandemic, and in vaccineresearch, development, production and distribution, while stepping up vaccine suppliesto the nations.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son (first from left) poses for a group photo with other ministers (Photo: VNA)The ministers compared notes on regional issues,especially those regarding the East Sea and Myanmar, and affirmed thatmaintaining an environment of peace, security and stability in the region,including the East Sea, is the shared concern and interest of ASEAN and China.
They welcomed the organisation of the 19thASEAN-China Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM) on the implementation of theDeclaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) ahead of the SpecialASEAN-China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.
They also committed to further implementing the DOC fullyand effectively and resuming negotiations for an effective and substantive Codeof Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in line with international law and the 1982United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS).
The MLC-6 Meeting set out four prioritiesfor the coming time, including cooperation on water resources and theenvironment to address major regional issues such as the Mekong River ecological environment, floods and droughts, and climate change, enhancement ofcollaboration in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccine production andtechnology transfer, and coordination in building the Mekong - Lancang EconomicDevelopment Belt and connecting it with existing economic corridors in the region.
Regarding the contributionsof the Vietnamese delegation to the meetings, Deputy FM Dung said in hisaddress at the Special ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers'Meeting, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son affirmed that Vietnam will actively work withASEAN countries and China to strengthen political dialogue, improve mutualunderstanding, trust and respect, and promote comprehensive cooperation, makingthe bilateral relationship a model of stable and sustainable partnershipbetween neighbouring countries.
Son also called for strengthening efforts to respond toCOVID-19 and promote recovery, making effective use of ASEAN – China Free TradeAgreement (ACFTA) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)Agreement, expanding regional connectivity via connecting the implementationof the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025 with the Belt and RoadInitiative (BRI), promoting sub-regional cooperation, and stepping up sustainabledevelopment cooperation in line with the theme of ASEAN-China cooperationthis year.
Apart from appreciating China's valuable support for Vietnam in COVID-19response, the Vietnamese FM emphasised the importance of efforts by ASEAN and China tomaintain an environment of peace, security, stability and rule of law in theregion.
He affirmed that Vietnam will continue to work with ASEAN countries and Chinato fully and effectively implement the DOC and build an effective and efficientCOC in accordance with international law and the UNCLOS 1982.
At the MLC-6 Meeting, FM Son proposed sharing experience in fighting thepandemic and transferring technology on vaccine production in a practical andeffective way; facilitating the cross-border circulation of goods to supporteconomic recovery during and after the pandemic; and stepping up cooperation inthe sustainable management and use of water resources of the Mekong River.
During his attendance at the meetings, Minister Bui Thanh Son held talks withChinese State Councillor and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi, and had bilateral meetings with Lao Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith andCambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs andInternational Cooperation Prak Sokhonn to discuss bilateral relations andissues of shared concern./.
At the MLC-6 Meeting, FM Son proposed sharing experience in fighting thepandemic and transferring technology on vaccine production in a practical andeffective way; facilitating the cross-border circulation of goods to supporteconomic recovery during and after the pandemic; and stepping up cooperation inthe sustainable management and use of water resources of the Mekong River.
During his attendance at the meetings, Minister Bui Thanh Son held talks withChinese State Councillor and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi, and had bilateral meetings with Lao Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith andCambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs andInternational Cooperation Prak Sokhonn to discuss bilateral relations andissues of shared concern./.
VNA
