Committee for Vietnam – China Bilateral Cooperation holds 11th meeting

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Both sides agreed that the comprehensive strategic cooperation partnership between Vietnam and China have continued to grow steadily with a positive trend since the previous meeting held in April 2017.

The regular meetings by the two countries’ senior Party and State leaders, and frequent cooperation exchanges by ministries, sectors and localities across multiple fields have achieved encouraging progress, they noted.

However, they pointed out shortcomings in bilateral ties, including Vietnam’s trade deficit o Vietnam with China, slow-paced progress of Chinese-constructed projects in Vietnam, and slow disbursement of Chinese non-refundable aid for Vietnam.

Priorities in the implementation of their leaders’ common perceptions for healthy and sustainable growth of relations were defined during the meeting.

The two sides pledged their best efforts to prepare for forthcoming visits and meetings of Vietnamese and Chinese leaders and enhance the coordinating role of the foreign ministries in boosting bilateral ties. Another target is to advance cooperation between their Parties and effectively realize cooperation mechanisms in defence, security, and law enforcement.

On economics and trade, they voiced support for measures to increase a sustainable, balanced and healthy cooperation in economics, trade, and investment while backing partnerships between Vietnamese and Chinese businesses in agro-forestry-fishery, particularly the production of rice, cassava, dairy products and fruit. 

The pair consented to facilitate the operation of Vietnam’s trade promotion offices in China, incentivize Chinese enterprises to invest in Vietnam’s high-tech and sustainable sectors, and direct their enterprises to come across obstacles in their joint projects.

Deputy PM cum FM Pham Binh Minh and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and witness the signing of the minutes of the 11th meeting of the Steering Committee for Vietnam – China Bilateral Cooperation.

They agreed upon stepping up collaboration in science-technology, environment, transport, agriculture, health, and expanding involvement in culture, education, tourism, press, and people-to-people exchange.

Deputy FM Minh suggested win – win bilateral cooperation should be practically solidified in line with the common perceptions of the two countries’ leaders, and effectively carry out existing cooperation mechanisms between their ministries, sectors, and localities.   

It is essential to intensify frequent exchanges between the two general secretaries of the steering committee, and promote ambassadors’ connectivity role, he added 

The two FMs also held a frank discussion on sea-related issues, concurring to follow their leaders’ common perceptions and the Vietnam – China agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of issues at sea. 

They are unanimous in enhancing negotiation mechanisms on sea-related issues for substantial outcome, and fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) to ensure a favourable environment for the negotiation process of the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC). They also agreed to well control disagreements at sea without any actions that further complicate the situation, and maintain peace and stability in the East Sea.

After the meeting, the two diplomats witnessed the signing of the minutes of the 11th meeting of the Steering Committee for Vietnam – China Bilateral Cooperation.

Earlier on September 14, Deputy Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung and Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kong Xuanyou held a meeting between general secretaries of the Steering Committee for Vietnam – China Bilateral Cooperation.