Chinese Foreign Minister: Mr. Tap attaches importance to developing relations with Vietnam

China said that President Xi Jinping's choice of Vietnam as the first country to visit after the Party Congress shows his importance in developing relations.

The Foreign Ministers of China and Vietnam met at the Government Guest House. Photo: Giang Huy.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi this afternoon as part of his official visit to Vietnam from November 2 to November 4.

At the meeting, Mr. Vuongemphasized that General Secretary and President Xi Jinping chose Vietnam as the first country to visit after the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China.demonstrating that the Chinese Party, State and Mr. Tap personally attach great importance to developing friendly neighborly relations and comprehensive cooperation with Vietnam, according to a statement from the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Pham Binh Minhaffirmed that the Party and Government of Vietnam always attach importance to and wish to develop the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership with China, support China's continued development, and actively contribute to maintaining peace, stability and cooperation in the region and the world.

Talks between leaders of the two countries' foreign ministries at the Government Guest House. Photo: Giang Huy.

The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation between the diplomatic, defense and security sectors, promote stable, balanced and sustainable development of bilateral trade, and effectively implement China's credits and aid for Vietnam.

The two sides also agreed to protect and sustainably use the Mekong-Lancang water resources, exchange hydrological data on border rivers and streams, continue to implement legal documents on land borders, promote economic development and maintain security and order in border areas.

Regarding maritime issues, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh suggested that both sides strictly comply with the agreements and common perceptions of the senior leaders of the two Parties and two countries, the "Agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of maritime issues between Vietnam and China".

Both sides needpromote existing negotiation and cooperation mechanisms to build trust, persistently resolve disputes in the East Sea by peaceful means, in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC).

Vietnam and China agreeTogether with ASEAN countries, promote the process of building a Code of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (COC), control disagreements at sea well, avoid actions that complicate or expand disputes, and maintain peace and stability in the East Sea.

Mr. Tap is one of four leaders who will pay a state visit to Vietnam in early November on the occasion of the APEC summit. The other three leaders are US President Donald Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Chilean President Michelle Bachelet.

The 25th APEC Summit has the theme "Creating new dynamism, fostering a shared future". The APEC Summit Week is the final and most important activity of APEC 2017, held in Da Nang from November 6 to November 11. The event has the participation of 21 APEC member economies.

According to VNE