President Tran Dai Quang called for unceasing reinforcement of political trust between Vietnam and China during his talks with General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and President Xi Jinping in Hanoi on November 13.

President Tran Dai Quang (R) has talks with General Secretary of the Communist Party of China and President Xi Jinping in Hanoi on November 13

The host considered Xi’s choosing of Vietnam as the first country to visit after the CPC’s 19th National Congress as an illustration of the CPC, the Chinese State and Xi’s respect for Vietnam-China relations and support for the 2017 APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting hosted by Vietnam.

He thanked China for providing non-refundable aid packages and urgent relief for people in some Vietnamese localities hit by recent natural disasters.

Vietnam and China are neighbouring countries that share many similarities in development directions, political regime, and cultural and social features, he said, adding the development, stability and achievements of each country are important for both sides.

The enhancement of healthy and stable development of bilateral friendship and comprehensive cooperation is in line with basic and long-term interests of the two countries and peoples, and benefits peace, stability and development in the region and the world.

The development of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership with China is a consistent and long-term policy, a strategic selection and a top priority in Vietnam’s foreign policy, President Quang emphasised.

He asked for unceasing consolidation of political trust between the two Parties and countries through the maintenance of high-level visits and meetings. The two sides need to direct their sectors and authorities at all levels to effectively carry out the reached agreements and common perceptions.

They should also take concrete actions to bolster mutual trust, understanding and connectivity between the two peoples, such as people’s forums, youth’s festivals, while ordering press agencies to further communications on the countries’ friendship, he added.

At the meeting, the Vietnamese leader called for the expansion and intensification of bilateral cooperation, particularly in important spheres like diplomacy, defence, security and law enforcement. They should better bring into play the bilateral cooperation steering committee’s role in strengthening ties and settling emerging issues in bilateral relations in a timely manner.

Vietnam and China should bolster the effectiveness of cooperation in economy, trade, investment, agriculture, environment, and science-technology, while stepping up the implementation of China’s major projects using advanced and environmentally friendly technology in Vietnam. They also need to address some problems in their cooperation so as to create economic trust and consolidate the material foundation for bilateral ties.

On the East Sea issue, the President asked both sides to abide by agreements and common perceptions set by the two countries’ leaders, including the Vietnam-China Agreement on Basic Principles guiding the Settlement of Sea-related Issues, and actively step up practical progress of negotiations on issues at sea. 

While disputes are yet to be settled, the two countries should exercise self-restraint and refrain from actions that further complicate the situation, he said, adding that Vietnam welcomes positive progresses of ASEAN-China negotiations and adoption of the framework Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC). 

In the near future, he requested that China and ASEAN continue to fully and seriously implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and conduct practical negotiations to build an effective and efficient COC. 

Xi, for his part, congratulated Vietnam on successfully hosting the 2017 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Meeting. 

He expressed his wish to continue working closely with Vietnam to increase high-level meetings to share experience in Party building and national development, uphold the coordinating role of the Steering Committee on Vietnam-China Bilateral Cooperation, connect the “Belt and Road” initiative with the “Two Corridors, One Economic Belt” framework, build cross-border economic areas and launch key projects. 

China will take measures to facilitate Vietnamese farm produce’s access to China towards balanced and sustainable trade development, he said, adding that China will also consolidate social organisations via increased friendship exchange between the two peoples as well as enhance press cooperation and carry out projects using China’s non-refundable aid. 

At the same time, China will well manage disputes, maintain peace and stability at sea while increasing exchanges and sharing experiences to deal with challenges and fighting crimes, he said.

Following the talks, the Vietnamese President hosted a banquet in honour of the Chinese leader and his entourage.

On November 13 afternoon, Chinese Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping left Hanoi, concluding his two-day State visit to Vietnam.-VNA