Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has reiterated to Chinese Politburo member and Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission Fan Changlong that Vietnam attaches importance to developing its good neighbourliness with China.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) receives Vice Chairman of the Chinese Central Military Commission Fan Changlong

Hosting a reception for Fan Changlong in Hanoi on June 18, the PM welcomed the Chinese official to Vietnam to attend the fourth Vietnam-China border defence friendship exchange programme scheduled to take place in both Vietnam and China from June 20-22.

The PM applauded the establishment of a cooperative mechanism between the two Central Military Commissions to implement the statement on joint vision on defence cooperation until 2025.

He stressed that Vietnam and China should tighten ties and stay vigilant over schemes that target separating the two Parties and nations in the complicated international situation.

Fan said that his visit aims at continuing to realise important common perceptions of the two countries’ senior leaders, for the comprehensive development of the countries’ friendly and cooperative relationship.

He stated he believes Vietnam has the potential to further develop bilateral cooperation with China, while affirming China’s willingness to collaborate with Vietnam to effectively carry out the regional One Belt One Road initiative and the bilateral Two Corridors, one Economic Belt development plan.

Both host and guest agreed not to allow sea-related issues to affect the two countries’ relations.

Phuc expressed his hope the two armies will lead in maintaining friendship and adhering to international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS), implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) effectively and working to early form a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

VNA