Minh was speaking at a meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Zhang Gaoli in Nanning, in China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, yesterday as part of his participation in the China-ASEAN Expo and the 11th China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit.

Minh, who is also the Foreign Minister, spoke highly of China's successful organisation of the events, which he said would boost relations between ASEAN and China .

He asked both sides to continue the exchange of high-ranking delegations; effectively carry out the action plan on the implementation of the Viet Nam-China comprehensive strategic co-operative partnership and co-operation programmes between respective sectors and localities; and promptly organise the seventh meeting of the steering committee for bilateral co-operation in 2014.

Regarding the East Sea situation, Minh urged both countries to maintain control over the maritime situation, to avoid activities that complicated circumstances, to step up negotiations, to strictly implement the basic principles guiding the settlement of sea-related issues between Viet Nam and China, respect international law - and work together to maintain regional and international peace and stability.

Deputy PM Zhang Gao li said Minh's participation in the events demonstrated that Viet Nam valued co-operation between ASEAN and China. He said he held Viet Nam's role in promoting relations between his country and the bloc in high regard.

He affirmed that China consistently strived for friendly neighbourliness and mutually beneficial cooperation with Viet Nam .

Zhang said his country continued to be willing to solve matters between the two countries effectively and boost ties in a healthy, stable and sustainable manner.

He responded warmly to Viet Nam 's proposals to reinforce the two countries' affiliations, especially with regard to economics, trade, and people-to-people exchanges.

During an earlier meeting with the Secretary of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region's Party Committee, Peng Qinghua, Deputy PM Minh said he considered the region an important gateway for co-operation between ASEAN countries and China, adding that he hoped Viet Nam and Guangxi would work closely to act as an economic-trade bridge linking ASEAN and China .

He also called on Guangxi to increase co-operation with Vietnamese sectors and localities in the fields of infrastructure development, trade, investment, tourism, education and training, and agriculture.

VNS/VNN