On the morning of October 13, after an official welcoming ceremony, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed confidence that Premier Li Qiang’s visit would be a great success, fostering positive effects on both countries' leadership, ministries, and local authorities, as they aim to strengthen and deepen bilateral relations in a more practical and comprehensive manner.

The two leaders evaluated the implementation of their shared agreements and cooperation in various fields, agreeing on directions and measures to effectively promote the "6 more" initiative, building a Vietnam-China Community of Shared Future with strategic significance.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh reaffirmed that Vietnam highly values the consolidation and development of its friendly and cooperative relationship with China. He emphasized that this is a consistent policy, an objective requirement, and a strategic choice that holds top priority in Vietnam's foreign relations.

Premier Li Qiang expressed his delight in making his first official visit to Vietnam as China's Premier. He highlighted China’s deep regard for its relationship with Vietnam, stating that Vietnam remains a priority in China’s neighborhood diplomacy.

The two Prime Ministers expressed satisfaction with the significant and encouraging achievements in bilateral relations over recent years.

Political trust has been reinforced, with frequent high-level exchanges and interactions. Strategic connectivity, particularly in transportation, has been accelerated.

Bilateral trade turnover increased by 21.9% in the first nine months of 2024. Tourism cooperation has also seen a strong recovery, with 2.7 million Chinese tourists visiting Vietnam in the first nine months, surpassing the total number of visitors in 2023. Local cooperation has been vibrant, and multilateral coordination has become more effective.

The two Prime Ministers agreed to effectively implement the high-level consensus reached between the two parties and countries.

During the talks, the two leaders officially announced the inauguration of the Ban Gioc (Vietnam) – Detian (China) Waterfall Scenic Area, set to open on October 15.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh also proposed that both sides expedite the procedures to establish a Vietnamese Consulate General in Chongqing, further promote trade cooperation, and open the Chinese market to more high-quality Vietnamese agricultural products. These include citrus fruits, pomelo, avocado, custard apple, jujube, medicinal herbs of plant origin, buffalo and beef, pork, and farm-raised spiny lobsters.

He also asked for China’s assistance in establishing a Vietnamese Trade Promotion Office in Haikou by the end of 2024, with additional offices planned for Chengdu (Sichuan) and Nanjing (Jiangsu).

Regarding transportation connectivity, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh requested that both sides work together to effectively implement signed railway cooperation agreements, develop a modern railway industry, provide concessional loans, and transfer technology.

The Prime Minister specifically requested China’s support in training human resources for the construction of three standard-gauge railway lines connecting northern Vietnamese provinces with China. These lines include Lao Cai-Hanoi-Hai Phong, Lang Son-Hanoi, and Mong Cai-Ha Long-Hai Phong.

In terms of investment cooperation, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh suggested both countries collaborate on large-scale, high-tech projects symbolic of bilateral relations, such as renewable energy, supporting industries, electric vehicles, international financial centers, free trade zones, smart cities, digital economy, green economy, and circular economy initiatives.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh also called for further cooperation in finance, banking, science and technology, education, culture, tourism, and environmental protection. He emphasized the importance of sharing meteorological, hydrological, and water resource data from cross-border rivers, while cooperating in sustainable and effective management of the Mekong-Lancang River.

Additionally, he urged effective implementation of scholarships for Vietnamese students, proposed the establishment of a Vietnamese Cultural Center in Beijing, and called for stronger tourism cooperation by facilitating extended landing and takeoff slots for Vietnamese airlines at Chinese airports.

Premier Li Qiang expressed his agreement and appreciation for Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s proposals, affirming China’s readiness to deepen political foundations, enhance practical cooperation, and continue opening its markets to Vietnamese goods.

Premier Li also encouraged greater strategic connectivity, particularly in transportation infrastructure, and proposed closer economic, trade, and investment cooperation, especially in manufacturing, agriculture, and maintaining supply and production chains. He also emphasized vocational training and expanded financial-monetary cooperation.

China’s leadership proposed making bilateral cooperation more efficient and practical, supporting the organization and execution of the Vietnam-China Year of People-to-People Exchanges in 2025, strengthening the social foundation of bilateral ties, and promoting increased tourism and local exchanges, along with more direct flights between the two countries.

Both sides held sincere and candid discussions on maritime issues, agreeing to continue implementing high-level consensus and the "Agreement on Basic Principles Guiding the Settlement of Vietnam-China Maritime Issues." They emphasized the need to manage disagreements appropriately, actively seeking fundamental and long-term solutions acceptable to both sides, in line with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Both countries pledged to avoid actions that would complicate the situation and to jointly maintain stability at sea.

Vietnam and China will also effectively implement negotiation mechanisms on maritime issues, while actively advancing cooperation in less sensitive areas and joint efforts in maritime search and rescue.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh urged both countries to respect each other’s legitimate rights and interests, resolve disputes peacefully, and handle fishing-related issues in line with the friendly relations between the two nations. He stressed that the East Sea disputes should not affect political trust or damage the goodwill and trust between the peoples of both countries.

Tran Thuong & Pham Hai