Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and Politburo member, Director of the Communist Party of China Central Committee’s Foreign Affairs Commission Office and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi at their talks in Hanoi on December 1. (Photo: VNA)The two sides compared notes on the Vietnam-China relations and measures to further promote the coordination role of the two foreign ministries in implementing high-level common perceptions and results reached at the 15th Meeting of the Vietnam-China Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation; and continue deepening the bilateral relations, thus contributing to peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world.
They spoke highly of the stable development and achievements in the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries. They agreed on the need for the two ministries to continue to closely coordinate in preparing for all-level exchange activities and meetings in the coming time; and work together to improve the effectiveness of cooperation mechanisms between the two countries' ministries, sectors and localities.
Sonproposed China continue to expand its imports of goods and agriculturalproducts from Vietnam; enhance transport infrastructure connectivity,especially railways and roads; and actively discuss to soon reach solutions toresolve lingering issues in projects. He also suggested facilitating proceduresfor Vietnam to establish trade promotion offices in various localities of China.
Wang affirmed that developing relations with Vietnam is a top priority inChina's foreign policy on its neighbourhood.
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs is ready to closely work with itsVietnamese counterpart to well realise the important common perceptions reachedby leaders of the two Parties and countries, he said.
He also proposed the two sides enhance strategic connectivity between the"Belt and Road" initiative and the "Two Corridors, OneBelt" framework; promote economic, trade and investment cooperation aswell as cultural, education and tourism exchanges, and boost close coordinationat international forums.
Regardingterritorial and border issues, the two sides agreed to continue coordination towell implement three legal documents on the Vietnam - China land border;strengthen border management; accelerate the opening and upgrading of bordergate pairs as agreed between the two sides; and deploy the pilot operation ofBan Gioc (Vietnam) - Detian (China) waterfall landscape area.
Regarding theEast Sea issue, the two sides agreed to well implement high-level commonperceptions on properly controlling and handling disagreements at sea, not letit to affect the good development of relations between the two Parties and twocountries.
Son suggestedauthorities at all levels and sectors of both sides to respect each other'slegitimate rights and interests established in accordance with internationallaw, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The two sides need to join hands with ASEAN countries to promote negotiationsand soon reach a practical, effective and efficient Code of Conduct in the EastSea (COC) in accordance with international law and the 1982 UNCLOS./.
