Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc talks with Chinese Prime Minister about the East Sea

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc highly appreciated the positive developments in the bilateral relations in 2017; emphasized the important significance of the frequent visits and contacts between the leaders of the two Parties and countries, reaching many important common perceptions on promoting the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership to develop stably, healthily and sustainably in the coming time.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. Photo: VGP

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc affirmed that Vietnam attaches great importance to developing the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership with China, especially in economics, trade and investment.

Regarding maritime issues, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc suggested that both sides comply with the high-level common perception and the Agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of maritime issues; control disagreements well, maintain peace and stability in the East Sea; and promote substantive negotiations to build an effective and efficient Code of Conduct (COC).

The Prime Minister suggested that in the coming time, the two sides continue to actively promote high-level visits and contacts; continue to pay attention to and direct ministries, branches and localities of the two countries to closely coordinate and effectively implement high-level agreements and common perceptions that have been reached; further enhance economic trust, promote balanced and healthy development of bilateral trade, continue to create conditions for Vietnamese goods, agricultural, forestry and fishery products to enter China; implement projects using Chinese credit in Vietnam on schedule and effectively; cooperate for mutual benefit in agriculture, environment, climate change response, science and technology; promote financial cooperation and transportation.

On this occasion, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc officially invited Prime Minister Li Keqiang to visit Vietnam and attend the 6th Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Summit from March 29-31, 2018.

Prime Minister Li Keqiang affirmed that China will persist in its policy of friendship with Vietnam and wishes to work with Vietnam to promote the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership to develop stably and sustainably.

Premier Li Keqiang affirmed that he will actively participate in the GMS cooperation mechanism; thanked the invitation and will visit Vietnam at a time convenient for both sides; and suggested that the two countries' Foreign Ministries discuss attending the GMS Summit in Vietnam.

Meeting between the two Prime Ministers in Cambodia on January 10. Photo: VGP

On the same day, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc had a bilateral meeting with Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. At the meeting, the two Prime Ministers expressed their delight at the positive developments in the bilateral relationship in recent times in the fields of politics - diplomacy, investment, trade, security - defense, tourism, etc.

Trade turnover between the two countries in 2017 increased by 20% to reach 15 billion USD. The two sides also coordinated well at regional and international forums. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc highly appreciated Thailand's contributions to promoting cooperation in the Mekong sub-region as well as within the Mekong-Lancang framework, hoping that Thailand would promote its role in ensuring water security and sustainable use of Mekong water resources.

The two sides also discussed measures to further strengthen bilateral cooperation, especially in the fields of agricultural and commodity exports, fisheries cooperation, and combating illegal fishing. Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha agreed to create favorable conditions for Vietnamese goods to access the Thai market.

The two sides also agreed to continue to closely coordinate at multilateral, regional and international forums such as ASEAN, APEC, GMS, etc.