Vietnamese, Chinese PMs talk cooperation in pandemic fight

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc talks over phone with his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang on cooperation in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic

PM Phuc glowingly spoke of the major outcomes China have recorded in the COVID-19 fight under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPV) with Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping being the nucleus, and the effective governance of Premier Li, the active involvement of Chinese people as well as China’s international cooperation efforts in this work.

Vietnam is combating the COVID-19 pandemic in the spirit of fighting an enemy, he noted, adding that the country has entered a new phase after yielding positive results in the first phase amid the increasingly complicated developments of the global epidemic situation.

The country stays active in keeping a check on the epidemic so as to prevent it from spreading further while redoubling efforts to ensure social security and safety for both Vietnamese and foreign citizens living in the nation, Phuc told the Chinese government leader.

PM Phuc thanked China for its support in the form of experience sharing and supply of medical supplies and highlighted the sound cooperation in the epidemic combat as a bright point in bilateral relationship this year which witnesses the 70th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties.

Premier Li applauded Vietnam’s effective anti-epidemic measures and thanked Vietnam for its support when the epidemic was at its apex in China.

He told PM Phuc that his nation will provide Vietnam with aid and medical supplies and equipment within its possibility.

The two leaders reached a consensus on the importance of ensuring the health and legitimate rights and interests of each other’s citizens.
With regard to international cooperation in the COVID-19 fight, PM Phuc affirmed that as Chair of ASEAN, Vietnam has been leading discussions and coordination in counter-epidemic efforts among ASEAN member states and between the ASEAN and partner nations, including the ASEAN+3 mechanism.

Premier Li said his country has always been exerting great efforts in international cooperation in epidemic prevention and control. He voiced support for Vietnam’s initiatives and efforts in the field and expressed a wish that  the international community would continue to join hands in the pandemic fight.

The two PMs underscored the importance of the relationship between the two countries, and showed their desire to develop the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership towards obtaining more practical and even greater achievements.

They agreed to enhance closer coordination between the two nations’ ministries, sectors and localities in maintaining trade and investment activities, while being prepared to resume tourism, aviation activities and people-to-people exchanges right after the pandemic comes to an end.