Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung concluded his official visit to China on December 27. On the occasion, Vietnamese Ambassador to China Dang Minh Khoi answered escort reporters’ queries regarding the visit’s significant outcomes.

Q: What were the outcomes of NA Chairman Hung’s China visit?

Vietnamese Ambassador to China Dang Minh Khoi (photo: Tuoi tre)

A: The visit took place in 2015 as Vietnam and China celebrated the 65th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations, and both countries are determined to use the year as a landmark to boost comprehensive partnership and co-operation, bringing bilateral ties to a new height.

2015 saw the most mutual visits made by the two nations’ senior leaders in the past 65 years. General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong made a successful visit to China last April before President Truong Tan Sang arrived in China five months later to attend the 70th anniversary of the world victory in the war against facism.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese President Xi Jinping paid an official visit to Vietnam in early November. The China visit made by NA Chairman Hung was Vietnam’s first high-level legislative visit to the East Asian country in eight years.

All meetings between the top Vietnamese legislator and Chinese leaders took place in a sincere and open atmosphere. The two sides discussed important issues in many fields, including politics, economics, culture and people-to-people exchanges, as well as the remaining issues in bilateral relations. The most notable outcome of the visit was both countries’ leaders reaching a consensus on the four points as follows:

First, both sides agreed to treasure the traditional friendship fostered by President Ho Chi Minh and President Mao Zedong along with generations of veteran leaders of the two nations, which has overcome challenges to become a valuable asset of both Parties and countries. In the current context of complicated international proceedings, Vietnam and China have been entering an important phase of development with both advantages and challenges, and more than ever, the two sides need to exert greater efforts to build on and further this traditional friendship.

Second, both sides agreed that in addition to sound political relations, bilateral economic and trade ties also need to be developed to a new height. During meetings with Chinese leaders, NA Chairman Hung highlighted the necessity to improve the quality of economic and trade co-operation to make it more equal and beneficial to both sides. I believe that Vietnam and China will see new developments in bilateral trade ties in the future.

Third, both sides agreed to maintain regular high-ranking meetings as well as boost exchange and mutual understanding between the two countries’ people. It is also important to educate the two nations’ youths to succeed and promote the bilateral traditional relationship.

In addition, NA Chairman Hung and Chinese leaders openly discussed existing matters in bilateral relations, including the East Sea issue.

At his meetings with Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping, Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Yu Zhengsheng and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China Zhang Dejiang, the top legislator stressed that the East Sea issue is of great importance, drawing great attention from the Vietnamese Party, State and NA. He suggested the two countries work together and negotiate solutions for these matters. For their part, the Chinese leaders affirmed their wish that from the vision of bilateral relations’ strategy and the overview of Vietnam-China friendship, the two sides will endeavor to maintain control over disputes at sea and not allow complicated matters to occur or affect relations between the two Parties and the two nations, undermining regional and world peace. President Xi Jinping said he believed that with the sound political relationship and sincere discussions, the two sides will find measures to address the matter.

NA Chairman Hung reiterated Vietnam’s persistent stance to seek radical and long-term solutions to satisfactorily address the East Sea issue through negotiations and in line with international law. He also requested both sides jointly control disagreements and not take any action that may further complicate the situation.

Q: Besides the outcomes in politics, economics, trade and people-to-people exchanges, how do you evaluate the co-operative outcomes between the two countries’ legislative bodies?

A: The visit made by NA Chairman Hung can be considered a boost to relations between the two countries’ legislative bodies. Vietnam and China have exchanged many legislative delegations over the past years. As the NA is affirming an increasing position as Vietnam’s highest state power body and the highest representative body of the Vietnamese people, its foreign affairs have also been of increasing importance.

Along with the Party and State’s diplomacy, the NA’s diplomatic activities have contributed to realising the Party and State’s foreign policy of diversification, multilateralisation, independence, self-reliance and active international integration.

During his Vietnam visit last month, the Chinese President delivered a speech to the Vietnamese NA, in which he expressed his honour to speak at such an important platform, in front of representatives of the Vietnamese people. This shows that like many other countries, China also respects the Vietnamese NA and wants to send messages to the Vietnamese people through the Vietnamese NA.

NA Chairman Hung’s visit to China also represented the Vietnamese people, expressing the Vietnamese Party and State’s persistent policy in relations with China.

In regards to legislative co-operation, both Vietnam and China are in the reform and open process, so the two sides can share experience and work together in law making. The two legislative bodies have the significant role of supervising local authorities’ operations and making decisions on the country’s important issues. With these similarities, enhancing relations between the two legislative bodies will benefit both sides.

Q: What do you think about the future outlook for Vietnam-China relations?

A: Along with General Secretary Trong’s visit and meetings between the two Parties’ senior leaders since the beginning of the year, the China visit made by NA Chairman Hung will contribute to enhancing the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic partnership.

Most importantly, it will also help strengthen political trust between the two countries, particularly as bilateral ties have been met with a number of obstacles over the past time. With efforts and determination from both sides, I do hope that the Vietnam-China relations will see new developments in the future.

The visit was not just limited to discussions on legislative co-operation, but also embraced issues in the areas of politics, economics, trade and culture, thereby contributing significantly to promoting comprehensive relations and co-operation between the two countries.