PM: Việt Nam attaches importance to relations with China

Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc (right) receives General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and President Xi Jinping in the central city of Đà Nẵng on November 11. - VNA/VNS Photo

During a meeting with General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and President Xi Jinping in Đà Nẵng on November 11, PM Phúc applauded the Chinese leader’s State visit to Việt Nam and his attendance at the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in the central city.

He expressed his appreciation at the progress made in bilateral ties, stressing that China remained the largest trade and tourism partner of Việt Nam while the country remains the largest trade partner of China in ASEAN.

Regarding investment, the PM said Việt Nam welcomes and would do its best to create favourable conditions for Chinese firms to carry out large-scale projects using advanced and eco-friendly technologies, particularly in infrastructure, processing industry, clean energy and high-tech agriculture.

He suggested the two sides implement the “Two Corridors, One Belt” framework and “Belt and Road” initiative, and improve infrastructure, particularly in border areas.

On trade, PM Phúc took this occasion to urge China to take effective measures to reduce the trade deficit with Việt Nam and import more Vietnamese goods such as agro-forestry-aquatic products, striving to foster stable and balanced trade and achieve the bilateral trade target of US$200 billion in 2025.

The government leader called for the effective implementation of cooperation projects in finance, agriculture, environment, transport and science-technology.

He proposed China provide more preferential credits for Việt Nam and make it easier for the country to get access to soft loans within bilateral and multilateral frameworks.

PM Phúc also suggested stepping up studies on rice cross-breeding adapted to drought and saline intrusion, jointly dealing with issues arising in fishing at sea, increasing coordination in the use, management and protection of water resources across the border as well as fostering cooperation in tourism, transport, friendship exchanges and mutually-beneficial ties among localities.

On maritime issues, PM Phúc said both sides need to settle disputes via peaceful measures in line with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982. He proposed both sides strictly implement the Agreement on Basic Principles guiding the Settlement of Issues at Sea between Việt Nam and China, efficiently manage disputes, avoid actions that expand and further complicate disputes, maintain peace and stability in the East Sea, and accelerate demarcation and cooperation for mutual development in disputed waters.

For his part, CPC General Secretary and President Xi Jinping affirmed that the Party, government and people of China attach the utmost importance to strengthening friendly neighbourliness and comprehensive cooperation with Việt Nam, saying the stable and healthy development of bilateral relations is in line with the interests of both nations and aspirations of their people.

The Chinese leader stressed the need to increase high-level meetings to discuss major issues in bilateral relations, promote strategic connectivity for development, facilitate trade and investment ties, foster cooperation in key fields and major projects, enhance people-to-people friendship exchanges, strictly implement common perceptions reached by senior leaders and maintain peace and security at sea for the overall complexion of the bilateral relationship.

He spoke highly of Việt Nam’s thorough preparations for and congratulated Việt Nam on successfully hosting the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting.

The Chinese leader also extended his sympathy to the CPV, government and localities that were recently hit by natural disasters and declared that the Chinese government will offer 10 million yuan ($1.5 million) in aid to Việt Nam to help with post-disaster recovery efforts.