Vietnam, China asked to deal well with issues at sea

At the reception, President Quang congratulated China on its successful organization of the first meeting of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (new tenure) following the 19th Congress of the Communist Party of China which elected new State and Government leaders for the new term.

He reiterated the Vietnamese Party, State and people’s readiness to strengthen comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership with their Chinese counterparts.

The President urged ministries, agencies and localities to enhance economic connectivity and balanced and sustainable two-way trade, fully implement the two nations’ agreements, improve the efficiency of mutually beneficial coordination to deliver practical benefits to the two peoples, and facilitate exchanges to deepen mutual understanding.

He underlined the need to consolidate political trust and maintain regular at all levels, seriously follow common perceptions of the two Parties and countries’ leaders and the Agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of issues at sea in order to peacefully resolve sea-related disputes.

Both nations need to put disputes under control and prevent actions that further complicate the situation, thus contributing to peace and stability in the East Sea, Quang stated.

For his part, the Chinese FM told his host that the Party, Government and people of China is willing to foster friendly neighborliness and comprehensive ties with Vietnam, adding that his nation will seriously follow the Agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of issues at sea and wished that both sides would not further complicate the situation and settle it properly.

At an earlier reception for the Chinese FM in Hanoi on March 31, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said Vietnam always values the friendship and all-around cooperation with China, saying maintaining the stable and sound relations with China is in line with the two countries’ fundamental and long-term interests, thereby contributing to the maintenance of peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region.

The Vietnamese government leader described Wang Yi’s official visit to Vietnam and his attendance at the sixth Greater Mekong Subregion Summit (GMS-6) as a vivid demonstration of China’s support for the bilateral ties and Vietnam’s hosting of GMS-6.

Phuc called on both side to reinforce the fruitful relations through high-level exchanges and tackle pending issues to bring greater economic benefits to each nation.

He suggested China facilitate imports of Vietnamese products as well as Vietnam’s access to Chinese preferential funds, invest in high-tech and eco-friendly projects in Vietnam, and step up cooperation in transport, agriculture, environment, science and technology.

Concerning the sea issues, PM Phuc underlined the proper implementation of the agreement on the basic principles guiding the settlement of issues at sea between Vietnam and China, stressing that the issues must be addressed in respect of each other’s legal benefits and international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Sea-related negotiation mechanisms should be promoted so as to well control disputes and maintain peace and stability in the East Sea, he noted.

The Chinese FM congratulated Vietnam on its successful organisation of the GMS-6 and affirmed that his nation is ready to promote the friendly neighbourliness and comprehensive cooperation with Vietnam.

China will seize cooperation opportunities for mutual benefits, and deal properly with disagreements in order to maintain peace and stability in the East Sea and progressively develop the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership in a stable and healthy manner, Wang Yi said.