Vietnam, China hold 14th meeting of steering committee for bilateral cooperation

During the meeting, the two sides congratulated each other on the positive development achievements of each country and emphasized the importance of mutual relations in terms of the overall foreign policy of both nations.

Deputy PM Minh wished China luck in successfully organising the 20th National Party Congress which is slated to take place in the second half of the year.

The two sides agreed that since the 13th meeting of the Steering Committee for Vietnam-China Bilateral Cooperation held in September, 2021, to work together to maintain stable and co-operative relations in order to achieve remarkable progress.

Co-operation in COVID-19 prevention and control has achieved many important results, while economic trade and investment ties and specialised fields between the two countries have continued to see positive developments.

The nation has maintained its position as China's largest trading partner in ASEAN, along with being China's sixth largest in the world by country criteria. In addition, China continues to be the country’s largest trading partner.

Some difficulties and problems discussed by the two sides at the 13th meeting have been resolved by agencies and businesses, whilst frank acknowledgement took place relating to some existing problems in co-operation.

Regarding orientations for future ties, both sides consented to speed up the organisation of high-level visits and meetings, effectively carry out co-operation between the two parties, promote the important role of the steering Committee for bilateral ties in co-ordinating fields, and accelerating the removal of difficulties and problems that may arise.

The two sides agreed to maintain effective co-operation in several vital fields such as diplomacy, defence, and security, as well as enhancing substantive co-operation fields between the two countries in order to ensure stable, balanced, and sustainable development, as well as intensifying friendship exchanges between the two peoples.

Deputy PM Minh suggested that China continue to create favourable conditions for customs clearance of goods through road and rail border gates, especially for seasonal fruits, and Vietnamese agricultural and aquatic products exported to China.

Agreeing with the nation’s cooperation proposals, Chinese Foreign Minister Yi affirmed that China attaches great importance to Vietnamese interest in expanding exports of agricultural and aquatic products to the northern neighbour, along with ensuring smooth customs clearance at border gates.

Regarding the shared border and territory, the two sides agreed to work together in managing the land border and satisfactorily handling arising cases, according to three legal documents on the land border that exists between Vietnam and China.

Both sides concurred to continue to strictly adhere to the high-level common perception regarding maintaining peace and stability at sea, including the agreement on fundamental principles guiding the settlement of maritime issues that may arise.

They will effectively promote negotiation mechanisms in a bid to achieve substantive progress, accelerate the negotiation of a new agreement on fisheries co-operation in the Gulf of Tonkin, and swiftly sign an agreement on search and rescue at sea and an agreement to set up a hotline for unscheduled cases of fishing activities at sea.

Deputy PM Minh emphasized that the two sides must make greater efforts to control disagreements and not take actions which may serve to complicate the situation and expand disputes. This should be done whilst respecting each other's legitimate rights and interests in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and jointly maintain peace and stability in the East Sea.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Deputy PM Minh and Chinese Foreign Minister Yi announced that the two sides had signed a number of co-operation documents.

This comes after Deputy PM Minh received Liu Ning, secretary of the Party Committee of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (Guangxi), on the afternoon of July 12.

At the meeting, the two sides agreed to intensify exchanges and meetings at all levels, as well as further promoting existing co-operation mechanisms and methods, improving the efficiency of economic, trade, and investment ties, and strengthen the connection of transport infrastructure.