Beijing (VNA) – Stronger cooperation in all spheresbetween Vietnam and China is critical to each country’s development, bringingabout economic benefits and reinforcing mutual trust and friendship between thetwo peoples, said President Tran Dai Quang.

He made the remark during a meeting with ChinesePremier Li Keqiang in Beijing on May 12, which was part of his State visit toChina.

The President underlined that amidst complexglobal situation, the enhancement of the Vietnam-China friendship andcooperation is an objective demand and in line with the two peoples’fundamental and long-term interests. It will also benefit peace, stability anddevelopment in the region and the world.

He asked the Chinese Premier to continue payingattention to the implementation of some measures to expand and improve theeffectiveness of bilateral cooperation.

In terms of trade, President Quang said he hopesministries, sectors and localities of China will soon finalise legal proceduresto open the Chinese market for milk, dairy products, fruits, aquatic productsand pork of Vietnam. He urged the Chinese side to continue facilitating tradingbetween the two countries’ major businesses in coal and agricultural products,especially rice and cassava.

Stronger trading of agricultural products willnot only help boost the healthy and sustainable growth of bilateral trade butalso practically benefit Vietnamese farmers, he noted.

The working group for infrastructure cooperationshould further bring into play its role in order to promote major investmentprojects, especially in renewable and clean energy, that represent China’sstrength and development level and match Vietnam’s demand and sustainabledevelopment strategy.

President Quang urged that the two sides push theirbusinesses to swiftly address existing problems in cooperation projects.

Regarding financial partnership, he called onChina to provide Vietnam with more preferential loans and facilitate Vietnam’saccess to concessional credit sources within the framework of ASEAN-China andMekong-Lancang cooperation.

He said the two countries should step up collaborationin agriculture and environment with a focus on climate change response,sustainable use of water resources of the Mekong/Lancang River, and creation ofrice varieties tolerant of drought and saltwater intrusion in Vietnam. Theyshould also strengthen ties in science-technology and in ensuring nuclear andradiation safety.

President Quang highlighted the need tointensify win-win cooperation between Vietnamese and Chinese localities ineconomy, trade, tourism, border management and protection of legitimateinterests of seasonal workers in border areas. 

It is necessary to continue to open and upgradepairs of border gates, apply customs facilitation measures, cooperate to fightcrimes and keep security and order in border areas, and maintain a peaceful andstable environment for the two countries’ cooperation and development, headded.

On this occasion, the President conveyed aninvitation to visit Vietnam from Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc to Premier LiKeqiang.

For his part, Premier Li reiterated that theParty, Government and people of China treasure the friendly neighbourliness andcomprehensive cooperation with Vietnam. China believes that the two countries’stable development brings opportunities for each other, he said. 

According to the premier, China pays attentionto Vietnam’s concerns and has stepped up measures to increase the import ofVietnam’s agricultural products, improve trade balance, and create morefavourable conditions for the provision of concessional credit packages. It hasalso actively worked in response to Vietnam’s request relating to thesustainable use of cross-border water resources, he said.

He agreed with President Quang’s opinion on theneed to enhance strategic discussions and direct the two countries’ sectors andlocalities to seriously comply with common perceptions reached by seniorleaders of Vietnam and China. Both sides should actively carry out measures toreinforce cooperation in all fields, thereby contributing to the Vietnam-Chinacomprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

At the meeting, Premier Li also accepted theinvitation to visit Vietnam.-VNA