Vietnam, China agree to maintain peace at sea

During talks with Premier Li on Monday in Beijing, Chinh suggested that the two sides implement a high-level of mutual understanding and agree on basic principles to handle issues at sea.

He said Vietnam and China should respect each other’s legitimate rights and interests while settling disputes and disagreements by peaceful means and in accordance with international law.

Chinh recommended promoting negotiation mechanisms on maritime issues in order to follow the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and develop a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982.

The two leaders agreed to build their countries’ shared border in the spirit of cooperation and development.

PM Chinh emphasized that Vietnam and China need to complement each other and promote cooperation in various fields. He suggested that China expeditiously open its market for Vietnamese agricultural and aquatic products. He called for the Chinese government to create favorable conditions for the early establishment of Vietnam Trade Promotion Offices in Chengdu, Sichuan and Haikou, Hainan.

The two leaders hoped that two sides would work together to improve customs clearance, avoid the congestion of goods at border gates, smooth problems at some cooperation projects and speed up the implementation of China’s non-refundable aid to Vietnam.

PM Chinh asked that the two sides strengthen cooperation in finance, agriculture, transportation, environment, health, science and technology. He said key points in the relationship should be cooperation in digital transformation, green growth, circular economy, and combating climate change.

The two sides need to strengthen railway, road and sea connections, research and develop a number of railway between the two countries, he said. The prime minister said priority should be given to signing a sea search and rescue agreement and completely restoring post-lockdown commercial flights.

Vietnam and China also need to cooperate in managing the water resources of the Mekong – Lancang river region, and follow agreements on education, culture and tourism exchanges.

For his part, Premier Li praised Vietnam’s rapid economic development and dynamic business environment, saying that economic and trade cooperation between the two countries has great potential.

Li said China will further open the market for Vietnamese goods, especially high-quality agricultural and aquatic products and fruits. He said his government would coordinate to create favorable conditions for customs control clearance. China is ready to solve existing issues so that trade relations between the two countries can continue to grow sustainably, Li added.

He also suggested the two sides strengthen strategic connectivity, promote cooperation in trade, investment, production and agriculture, especially in filling supply chain gaps.

PM Pham Minh Chinh and Premier Li Qiang with representatives of Vietnam and China hold talks on June 26, 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Nhat Bac

Li said that the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries meant that China encourages enterprises, especially big and high-tech enterprises to expand investment in fields that are suitable to Vietnam’s needs and sustainable development strategy.

The two also agreed to maintain coordination and cooperation at regional and international forums. PM Chinh affirmed the consistent policy of sticking to the One China principle, supporting China to promote its increasingly important and active role in the region and the world.

The two leaders then witnessed the signing of cooperation project agreements in the fields of entry and exit management, market supervision, smart border gate development and marine environment management in the Gulf of Tonkin.

This is Chinh’s first official visit to China, and comes in the context of the 15th anniversary of the two countries’ comprehensive strategic partnership. According to Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu, Chinh’s visit to China showed his determination to develop more sustainable, stable and substantive relations between the two countries.

The Vietnamese PM will also attend the 14th World Economic Forum (WEF) in Tianjin at the invitation of WEF founder and chairman Klaus Schwab.