Beijing (VNA)♏ – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinhheld talks with Chinese Premier LiQiang in Nanning city, Guangxi province of China, on September 16 while there to attend the 20th China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) and China-ASEAN Business and InvestmentSummit (CABIS).

Both sides expressed their delight at and spoke highly ofthe progress in Vietnam-China relationship in recent years, especially sincethe historical China visit by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong from October 30 to November 1 last year. PMChinh conveyed greetings from Party leader Trong, State President Vo Van Thuong, and National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue to Chinese Party General Secretary andPresident Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, Chairman ofthe Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China ZhaoLeji, and Chairman of theChinese People's Political Consultative Conference Wang Huning. Premier Li also conveyed regards of the Chinese high-ranking leaders and others to their Vietnamese counterparts.  Underscoringthe importance of the Vietnam-China relations in the overall foreign policy of eachcountry, PM Chinh affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State attach greatimportance to and consider the development of a friendly, stable and healthycooperative relationship with China a strategic choice and top priority inVietnam's foreign policy. In reply, Li asserted that China always considers itsrelationship with Vietnam a priority in the overall framework of its neighbourhoodpolicy. China backs Vietnam’s efforts to build and successfully developits socialist-oriented market economy that suits the country's situation, and staysready to keep expanding and deepening bilateral substantial cooperation, hesaid, speaking highly of Vietnam's active and effective participation in and its important contributions to the CAEXPO and CABIS. Both sides agreed to continue effectively realising thecommon perceptions reached by their Party leaders to further enhance anddeepen bilateral comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, as well asthe agreements and results achieved during PM Chinh's official visit to Chinain June this year and other high-level visits.

Accordingly, they will facilitate all-level visits; reinforcesubstantial cooperation in economy, trade, investment, and people-to-peopleexchanges; maintain their coordination in multilateral mechanisms and forums; manage landborders effectively; and properly control differences while jointly maintainingpeace and stability at sea.

🙈 The Vietnamese leader highlighted the need for both sidesto leverage geographical advantages and complement each other to nurture substantivecooperation in balanced and sustainable development areas.

He proposed thatChina accelerate the market opening for Vietnam's agricultural andaquatic products, create favourable conditions for the early establishment of Vietnam'strade promotion offices in Chengdu (Sichuan) and Haikou (Hainan), and jointly improvecustoms efficiency to prevent goods congestion at border crossings.
           
Vietnam is ready to create favourable conditionsfor Chinese firms to do business in the country, especially in large-scale,high-quality and modern technology projects that represent China's level ofdevelopment, bringing about economic and social benefits, he said.

🅠 In his view, the two countries need to strengthentransportation and border infrastructure connectivity, study joint work inplanning and building several railway lines in northern Vietnam, and improve cargotransportation capacity bilaterally andthrough third countries.

The Vietnamese PM suggested joint efforts to promote tourismcooperation, resolve any lingering issues in several projects in the spirit of harmonisinginterests and sharing risks, and accelerate the implementation ofnon-refundable aids from China to Vietnam. TheChinese Premier affirmed that China will continue opening its market for Vietnamese goods,especially quality agricultural and aquatic products, expand the scale andimprove the efficiency of trade by upgrading border infrastructure, policyconnectivity, and the building of smart border crossings. Efforts will be madeto promote transactions using the Chinese yuan for trade between the twonations. He said he has directed relevant Chinese ministries toactively engage with Vietnam to step up specific cooperation areas and jointlybuild stable supply and production chains.

Proposing increased people-to-people exchanges and publicawareness of bilateral traditional friendship, especially among the younggenerations, he said the Chinese Government will encourage its citizens totravel to Vietnam, support the opening of new air routes between the twocountries, and hasten the implementation of humanitarian, healthcare, andeducation assistance projects in Vietnam.

ꦕ The two leaders agreed on the importance of managingdifferences properly, and maintaining peace and stability in the East Sea.

PM Chinh suggested that both sides continue strictly follow the high-level common perceptions and the agreement on the basic principles guidingthe settlement of the maritime issues between Vietnam and China. He called forrespect to each other's legitimate rights and interests, settling disputes anddifferences through peaceful means in accordance with international law,including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

They also promised to work closely together at global andregional forums.

🐲 On the occasion, Li extended his profound condolences tothe families of the victims in a tragic fire in Hanoi on September 12./.