Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam attaches importance to developingties with China and considers this as a leading priority in its foreign policy,Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh told Chinese State Councillor and Minister ofForeign Affairs Wang Yi at their meeting in Hanoi on September 11.

The host leader affirmed that the traditional friendship betweenVietnam and China is a precious asset of the countries’ Parties, States, andpeoples, and that the reinforcement of bilateral relations is an importantfactor for each country’s development and also a contribution to regional andglobal peace, cooperation, and development.

He expressed his belief that both sides will work together toeffectively implement the common perceptions and agreements reached at the 13th meeting of the Vietnam - China Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation,maintain frequent contact between their senior leaders, and further promoteexchange and cooperation mechanisms to enhance mutual understanding and trust,thus fostering relations between the two Parties and States in an increasinglysubstantive and effective manner.

With regard to cooperation in the COVID-19 fight, PM Chinh lauded the countries’close coordination and mutual support since the pandemic broke out and thankedChina for assisting Vietnam with vaccine via different forms, especially theprovision of another 3 million vaccine doses announced during this trip byWang.

He expressed his hope that China will continue supplying vaccine forVietnam; transfer production technology for COVID-19 vaccine and treatment drugs; carry outCOVID-19 vaccine purchase contracts to meet Vietnam’s demand, particularly in thisSeptember and October; share experience in disease treatment; and coordinate incontrolling the pandemic in border areas.

For economic ties, theGovernment leader asked both sides to facilitate cross-border trading,especially the trading of Vietnam’s farm produce, aquatic products, and seasonal fruit, to help balance bilateral trade. He called for coordination to remove obstacles to investment projects, including the Cat Linh - Ha Dong urbanrailway project.

He also encouragedChinese enterprises to invest in projects that match the two countries’ relationsso that the people can enjoy the benefits from the substantive achievements of the bilateralfriendship.

In terms of the EastSea issue, in a straightforward and constructive spirit, the PM stressed thatboth sides should instruct their law enforcement forces at sea to adhere to the high-levelcommon perceptions and the Vietnam - China agreement on basic principlesguiding the settlement of sea-related issues, strive to properly settle andcontrol disputes well, maintain a peaceful and stable environment at sea; while workingwith ASEAN countries to seriously implement the Declaration on the Conduct ofParties in the East Sea, step up the negotiation on a substantive and effectiveCode of Conduct in the waters, comply with international law, especially the1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and ensuresecurity, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight.

For his part, StateCouncillor and Foreign Minister Wang affirmed that the Chinese Party, State, andpeople attach great importance to the friendly neighbourliness andcomprehensive cooperation with their Vietnamese counterparts.

He thanked Vietnam forsupporting and assisting China since COVID-19 first broke out, stressing thatChina is ready to continue helping Vietnam in the current period as it considers the difficulties facing Vietnam as its own.

He expressed support forPM Chinh’s opinions about the orientations and measures for reinforcing the twoParties and countries’ relations.

China will effectivelycarry out the outcomes of the 13th meeting of the Steering Committeefor Bilateral Cooperation, further intensify win-win cooperation in all fields,and seriously carry out the high-level common perceptions about the control andproper settlement of disagreements, thereby unceasingly developing the China -Vietnam comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership in a healthy and stablemanner to bring practical benefits to both peoples, the Chinese officialaffirmed./.