Vietnamese, Chinese Foreign Ministers hold talks

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bùi Thanh Sơn (right) had talks with Politburo member, Director of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee’s Commission for Foreign Affairs and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi on Friday in Hà Nội. — VNA/VNS Photo Phạm Kiên

HÀ NỘI — Minister of Foreign Affairs Bùi Thanh Sơn on Friday held talks with Politburo member, Director of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee’s Commission for Foreign Affairs and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi, who is in Việt Nam for co-chairing the 15th Meeting of the Việt Nam-China Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation.

The two sides compared notes on the Việt Nam-China relations and measures to further promote the coordination role of the two foreign ministries in implementing high-level common perceptions and results reached at the 15th Meeting of the Việt Nam-China Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation; and continue deepening the bilateral relations, thus contributing to peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

They spoke highly of the stable development and achievements in the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries. They agreed on the need for the two ministries to continue to closely coordinate in preparing for all-level exchange activities and meetings in the coming time; and work together to improve the effectiveness of cooperation mechanisms between the two countries’ ministries, sectors and localities.

Minister Sơn proposed China continue to expand its imports of goods and agricultural products from Việt Nam; enhance transport infrastructure connectivity, especially railways and roads; and actively discuss to soon reach solutions to resolve lingering issues in projects. He also suggested facilitating procedures for Vietnam to establish trade promotion offices in various localities of China.

Wang affirmed that developing relations with Việt Nam is a top priority in China’s foreign policy on its neighbourhood.

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs is ready to closely work with its Vietnamese counterpart to well realise the important common perceptions reached by leaders of the two Parties and countries, he said.

He also proposed the two sides enhance strategic connectivity between the “Belt and Road” initiative and the “Two Corridors, One Belt” framework; promote economic, trade and investment cooperation as well as cultural, education and tourism exchanges, and boost close coordination at international forums.

Regarding territorial and border issues, the two sides agreed to continue coordination to well implement three legal documents on the Việt Nam-China land border; strengthen border management; accelerate the opening and upgrading of border gate pairs as agreed between the two sides; and deploy the pilot operation of Bản Giốc (Việt Nam) – Detian (China) waterfall landscape area.

Regarding the East Sea (known internationally as the South China Sea) issue, the two sides agreed to well implement high-level common perceptions on properly controlling and handling disagreements at sea, not let it to affect the good development of relations between the two Parties and two countries.

Minister Sơn suggested authorities at all levels and sectors of both sides to respect each other’s legitimate rights and interests established in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The two sides need to join hands with ASEAN countries to promote negotiations and soon reach a practical, effective and efficient Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in accordance with international law and the 1982 UNCLOS. — VNS