during his attendance at the Special ASEAN - China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and the Mekong - Lancang Cooperation Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Chongqing, China.

Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son (L) and Chinese State Councillor and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi

Son congratulated the Communist Party of China on its 100th founding anniversary on July 1, 2021 and its achievements in socio-economic development and COVID-19 prevention and control.

Wang congratulated Vietnam on the successful organisation of the 13th National Party Congress.

The two ministers extensively discussed bilateral ties and regional and global issues of shared concern.

Affirming the importance of Vietnam - China ties in each country’s foreign policy, they expressed delight at the development of the friendly neighbourliness and the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership over the past years.

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh of Vietnam have held important phone talks with Chinese Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang and reached common perceptions on strengthening ties between the two Parties and countries.

Both sides agreed to uphold the two foreign ministries’ important role in coordinating and promoting Vietnam - China ties, devise specific measures to implement high-level common perceptions such as facilitating exchanges at all levels, promoting exchanges and cooperation between the two countries’ ministries, departments, and localities, and jointly fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

They pledged to lift economic-trade and investment ties in a practical, healthy, and balanced manner and foster people-to-people exchanges while maintaining cooperation at multilateral forums, especially at the UN and within the framework of ASEAN.

The two ministers consented to maintain peace and stability in the East Sea and soon reach a practical and effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Son suggested China make it easier for Vietnamese farm produce to enter the country, especially fruits in harvest, soon complete procedures to open and upgrade several border gates, effectively deploy Chinese aid to Vietnam, and promptly complete existing projects.

On the East Sea issue, the Vietnamese minister proposed that both sides seriously realise high-level common perceptions and abide by international law, particularly the 1982 UNCLOS, uphold the role of negotiation mechanisms, and seek basic and long-term solutions to the issue.

Wang, for his part, affirmed that China wants to enhance strategic exchange and political trust with Vietnam, and deepen the mutually-beneficial relationship in a healthy and stable manner.

He expressed China’s support for Vietnam in its fight against the pandemic, including the supply, research, and production of vaccines.

China is ready to import more Vietnamese goods in comformity with the Chinese market's demand, Wang said./. VNA