Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son met with Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang. (Photo: Nguyen Hong)

On June 25, at the headquarters of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, within the framework of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's official visit to the People's Republic of China, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son met with State Councilor and Foreign Minister of China Qin Gang.

In a sincere, friendly and open atmosphere, the two sides discussed in depth measures to promote relations between the two Parties and two countries of Vietnam and China.

Minister Bui Thanh Son emphasized that Vietnam attaches importance to developing a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership with China. This is a top priority in Vietnam's foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralization, and diversification of foreign relations.

State Councilor and Minister Qin Gang affirmed that China considers Vietnam a priority direction in China's neighboring diplomacy, as well as in China-ASEAN relations.

The two sides agreed that Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's official visit to China is of great significance in continuing to consolidate and concretize the high-level common perception reached during General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's official visit to China (October 30 - November 1, 2022), contributing to promoting the continuous, stable, healthy and sustainable development of Vietnam-China relations.

The two sides had in-depth discussions on measures to promote relations between the two Parties and two countries of Vietnam and China. (Photo: Nguyen Hong)

The two Ministers highly appreciated the positive development of the relations between the two Parties and the two countries in recent times. In their role as the Standing Body of the Vietnam-China Bilateral Cooperation Steering Committee, the two Ministries agreed to continue to closely coordinate in promoting exchanges and contacts at high and all levels; support ministries, branches and localities to deepen substantive cooperation in all fields, enhance friendly exchanges between the people of the two countries; expand cooperation at multilateral forums; properly handle disagreements, and jointly maintain a peaceful and stable environment in the region.

Emphasizing some of Vietnam's concerns in cooperation between the two countries, Minister Bui Thanh Son suggested that the two sides promote balanced and sustainable economic and trade cooperation; suggested that China open its doors and facilitate the export of goods, especially agricultural products, from Vietnam to China, increase high-quality Chinese investment in Vietnam, coordinate to handle difficulties in some projects, and speed up the use of some Chinese aid for Vietnam.

Minister Qin Gang emphasized that the two countries are increasingly becoming important economic and trade cooperation partners. (Photo: Nguyen Hong)

Expressing his agreement with Minister Bui Thanh Son's cooperation proposals, Minister Tan Cuong emphasized that the two countries are increasingly becoming important economic and trade cooperation partners; China is willing to work with Vietnam to promote the complementary advantages between the two economies; emphasize that it will increase the import of Vietnamese goods, especially agricultural products; as well as coordinate to facilitate customs clearance of goods at the land border areas between the two countries; maintain smooth supply chains and production chains; encourage reputable Chinese enterprises to invest in Vietnam in fields suitable to Vietnam's development needs.

The two sides exchanged sincere and frank opinions on maritime issues, agreeing to continue to seriously implement the agreements and common perceptions of the high-ranking leaders of the two Parties and two countries, well control disagreements, and properly handle maritime issues. Minister Bui Thanh Son suggested that the two sides respect each other's legitimate interests in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The two sides also discussed in depth international and regional issues of mutual concern.