President receives outgoing Chinese ambassador

HÀ NỘI — President Tô Lâm hosted a reception in Hà Nội on Wednesday for Chinese Ambassador to Việt Nam Xiong Bo who came to say goodbye to the State leader at the end of his tenure.

The President asked the ambassador to convey regards from General Secretary of the Communist Party of Việt Nam Central Committee Nguyễn Phú Trọng and other key leaders of Việt Nam to General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang and other key leaders of China.

The two sides rejoiced at marked strides of Việt Nam-China relations over the past years, with increased high-level exchanges and meetings, notably the China visit by Party General Secretary Trọng in October 2022, and the visit to Việt Nam by Party General Secretary and President Xi in December 2023.

Việt Nam and China have established a new positioning for their relations, elevated their comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, and built a community with a shared future that carries strategic significance, they said.

They shared the view that economic-trade-investment cooperation remains a bright spot of the bilateral ties, with Việt Nam emerging as China’s 5th biggest trading partner, while exchanges between localities and residents have contributed to consolidating the social foundation for the relationship.

President Lâm praised the diplomat’s significant contributions to the Việt Nam-China relationship, making it more intensive, comprehensive and practical.

For his part, Xiong congratulated the Vietnamese Party, State and people on achievements they have recorded over the past time, and affirmed that the Party, Government, and people of China steadfastly support Việt Nam’s efforts in maintaining stability and prosperous development, and firmly believed that the Southeast Asian nation will successfully complete its development visions and goals as defined by the 13th National Party Congress.

On this occasion, the two sides exchanged views on the relations between the two Parties and countries, as well as major measures to continue effectively implementing high-level common perceptions reached by the two Party chiefs.

The President affirmed that developing the relations with China is always a consistent policy, a strategic choice, and a top priority in Việt Nam’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, and multilateralisation, and diversification.

He suggested the two countries step up all-level exchanges and meetings, consolidate political trust, improve the quality and efficiency of collaboration across spheres, deepen cooperation between localities, and enhance people-to-people exchanges.

The ambassador also noted that China always considers its relationship with Việt Nam a prioritised direction in its foreign policy, and stands ready to promote exchanges and cooperation at all levels and in all sectors and fields.

He held that potential for cooperation between the two countries in the coming time is very huge and will certainly be intensified in the near future.

Xiong pledged that he, in any position, will continue keeping tabs on and making contributions to the China – Việt Nam neighbourliness and friendship, as well as the China – Việt Nam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.

Regarding maritime issues, the two sides agreed to seriously implement high-level agreements and common perceptions, and better control and settle disagreements, not letting the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea) issue affect the thriving bilateral relations, for peace, stability and development in the region and the world. — VNS