NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (L) and NPC Chairman Li Zhanshu at the talks (Photo: VNA)

Thetalks took place following an official welcome ceremony for the Vietnamese toplegislator, who is making an official visit to China from July 8-12 at theinvitation of the NPC head.
           
ChairmanLi Zhanshu affirmed that Chinese Party and State leaders attach importance tothe visit of the Vietnamese NA Chairwoman, who is the highest-ranking leader ofVietnam to pay an official visit to China following the 19th National Congress of the Communist Partyof China (CPC). 

ChairwomanNgan reiterated that the Vietnamese Party and State always treasure thepreservation, inheritance and development of the traditional Vietnam-Chinafriendship, which has been fostered by Presidents Ho Chi Minh and Mao Zedongalong with many generations of leaders of both countries.
           
Shestressed that the maintenance of meetings and contact between high-rankingleaders of the two countries is very important in order to enhance politicaltrust, and timely instruct the settlement of outstanding or arising problems,thus helping bilateral ties develop in a stable and sustainable manner on thebasis of agreements reached by leaders of both sides.

Towardsthis goal, the Vietnamese NA leader asked Chinese leaders to coordinate withVietnam in directing relevant agencies and localities of both sides to organizeactivities marking the 70th anniversary of bilateral diplomaticrelations (January 18, 1950-2020), thus further deepening the good ties betweenthe two Parties, States and peoples.

For hispart, the NPC Chairman appreciated the healthy development trend in bilateralties, noting that after the 19th National Congress of the CPC, PartyGeneral Secretaryy and President Xi Jinping had chosen Vietnam for his first visit to a foreign country. During the visit, Xi held in-depthdiscussion with General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen PhuTrong on China-Vietnam ties. The two leaders had reached common perception onmany issues and instructed boosting the traditional friendship and thecomprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries.   

Thetwo legislative leaders agreed to the need to promote bilateral cooperationtowards bringing happiness to their people and demonstrate the superiority ofthe socialist regime. They said the two countries should make full use ofavailable cooperative mechanisms to enrich the content of the comprehensivestrategic cooperative partnership.
           
Regardingeconomic ties, the Vietnamese NA Chairwoman underlined good growth in bilateraltrade and investment partnership, with two-way trade value reaching 106.3billion USD in 2018. China continued to be the largest trade and tourismpartner of Vietnam, while Vietnam kept its position as the largest ASEAN trade partnerof China. In the first five months of 2019, China became the top foreigninvestor in Vietnam.

Nganaffirmed that Vietnam will create favourable conditions for foreign investors,including China, to carry out investment projects using advanced andenvironmentally-friendly technologies in Vietnam, especially in the fields ofprocess, clean energy and hi-tech agriculture.

Sheurged China to facilitate the entry of Vietnamese farm produce into Chinathrough favourable quarantine and customs, sharing of information onimport-export policies, and trade promotion activities.
                       
TheNPC Chairman said the two sides should push ahead with the implementation of theMemorandum of Understanding on connectivity between the “two corridors, onebelt” and the “belt and road” initiatives, while building plans, definingpriorities and launching negotiations between the two Governments on afive-year plan on infrastructure development and economic zones in border areasto promote investment and trade.

Heaffirmed that China will encourage its businesses to invest more in Vietnam,and asked Vietnam to facilitate Chinese investment in hi-tech and agriculture.

Linoted that China wants to cooperate with Vietnam in building railwaysconnecting Vietnam, China and Europe, thus facilitating the transport ofVietnamese goods to Europe.

Headded that China pays attention to trading in farm produce with Vietnam, andinvited Vietnamese firms to participate in the second international import expoin China.        

Regardingthe sea issues, the two sides pledged to continue following the sharedperception of high-ranking leaders of both Parties and States and the Vietnam-Chinaagreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of sea-related issues;pursue the settlement of sea-related issues by peaceful measures in accordance withinternational law.

The two sides agreed to increase the exchange ofmeasures to maintain stability at sea, well implement the Declaration on theConduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and work for the early signing of aCode of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (COC) for maintaining peace,stability in the region.            

The twolegislative leaders took note of positive developments in the land border betweenthe two countries. The Vietnamese side proposed that the law-making bodies ofboth countries enhance supervision and instruct ministries, sectors andlocalities to adhere to the three legal documents signed between Vietnam andChina on land border and strengthen coordination in border management, thusbuilding a peaceful border of friendship, cooperation and development.  
           
Thetwo legislative leaders also shared experience in Party building andanti-corruption work.  
           
Chairwoman Ngan underlined the good cooperationbetween the two law-making bodies in the recent past, and suggested that thetwo sides continue to exchange visits between their high-ranking leaders,committees, friendship parliamentary groups, and legislators, as well asbetween local people’s councils.

Thetwo sides agreed to increase the exchange of working experience in perfectingthe Party’s leadership over the State and building a socialist law-governedState. They pledged to coordinate in supervising the implementation of signedagreements, while strengthening coordination and mutual support atinter-parliamentary forums in the region and the world.

TheNPC Chairman congratulated Vietnam for its election as a non-permanent memberof the UN Security Council and its Chair of the ASEAN in 2020. He affirmed thatChina will work closely with Vietnam to contribute to peace and stability inthe region and the world.

The Vietnamese NA Chairwoman invited Li to visitVietnam, and the NPC Chairman accepted the invitation with pleasure.-VNA