Full text of the Vietnam - China Joint Statement

1. At the invitation of General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong paid an official visit to the People's Republic of China from October 30 to November 1, 2022.

During the visit, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong held talks with General Secretary and President Xi Jinping; received the Friendship Medal of the People's Republic of China, presented by General Secretary and President Xi Jinping on behalf of the Party and Government of China; met with Premier Li Keqiang of the State Council, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Li Zhanshu, and Chairman of the National People's Political Consultative Conference Wang Yang. During the talks and meetings, the two sides informed each other about the situation of each Party and each country; in-depth exchanged opinions and reached many important common perceptions on the relationship between the two Parties and the two countries of Vietnam and China and the current international and regional situation.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping.

2. The Chinese side informed the Vietnamese side of the main results of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. The Vietnamese side warmly congratulated the success of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and highly appreciated the great strategic achievements that the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core, has united and led the Chinese people to achieve in the process of persevering and developing socialism, promoting Sinicization, modernizing Marxism, completing the first 100-year goal, successfully building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, winning the battle to get rid of poverty, continuously developing and perfecting people's democracy throughout the process, developing the economy and preventing the epidemic, demonstrating the superiority of the socialist system, providing vivid practice and valuable experience for developing countries to refer to.

The Vietnamese side expressed its best wishes and confidence that under the wise leadership of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core, the Communist Party of China, the Government and the people of China will certainly continue to expand and enrich the path of Chinese-style modernization, vigorously promote the new great project of Party building, complete on time the goals and tasks set by the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, successfully realize the second centenary goal, and build China into a strong, democratic, civilized, harmonious and beautiful modern socialist power.

The Vietnamese side informed the Chinese side of the main results of the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam. The Chinese side highly appreciated the great and unprecedented achievements that Vietnam has achieved after more than 35 years of carrying out the renovation process and 10 years of implementing the Platform for national construction during the transition period to socialism (supplemented and developed in 2011). In particular, the work of building and rectifying the Party and the political system has achieved many positive results, maintaining political and social stability; economic growth has remained at a relatively high level; the Covid-19 pandemic has been successfully controlled; people's lives in all aspects have been constantly improved; and the international position has been increasingly enhanced, demonstrating the potential and bright future of the cause of building socialism in Vietnam.

The Chinese side wishes and believes that under the correct leadership of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam headed by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, the Party, State and people of Vietnam will certainly successfully implement the great goals and tasks set forth by the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, soon turning Vietnam into a high-income developed country with a socialist orientation; playing an even more important role in peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world.

3. The two sides believe that Vietnam and China are not only good neighbors, good friends, connected by mountains and rivers, but also good comrades and good partners with the same aspirations, sharing a common destiny, and working together for the happiness of the people, the prosperity of the country, and the noble cause of peace and development of mankind.

The two sides reviewed the development process of the relationship between the two Parties and the two countries of Vietnam and China. During the struggle for national independence and liberation, the Parties, States and people of the two countries gave each other valuable and pure assistance. During the period of renovation and reform and opening up, the two sides promoted the exchange of experiences, mutually beneficial cooperation, persevered on the socialist path appropriate to the situation of each country, and achieved historic development achievements. The two sides agreed that the traditional friendship of comradeship and brotherhood, personally established and painstakingly cultivated by President Ho Chi Minh, Chairman Mao Zedong and previous leaders, is a precious asset of the people of the two countries and needs to continue to be well inherited, well protected and well promoted.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang.

Looking to the future, the two Parties and two countries need to persevere in their forward direction, promote the unceasing development of socialism, and demonstrate the advantages and bright future of the socialist system.

The two sides emphasized that they should firmly uphold the leadership of the Communist Party, persistently follow the socialist path in accordance with the characteristics of each country's situation, strengthen solidarity, cooperation, exchange and learn from each other, deepen their understanding of the Communist Party's governing laws, the laws of building socialism and the laws of development of human society; firmly uphold and creatively apply and develop Marxism-Leninism, promote the cause of Party building and socialism building of each Party to continuously develop, and make joint efforts for the cause of peace and progress of mankind.

4. The two sides assessed that the world situation is undergoing historic, profound and unpredictable changes, entering a new period of turmoil. The two Parties and two countries need to persistently carry out their goals, ideals and missions for the happiness of the people and for the progress of humanity; persistently perceive and develop bilateral relations on a strategic level and with a long-term vision; persistently adhere to the motto of "friendly neighbors, comprehensive cooperation, long-term stability, looking towards the future" and the spirit of "good neighbors, good friends, good comrades, good partners", promoting the Vietnam - China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership to develop in a long-term, healthy and stable manner in the new era.

To do that, the two sides need to strengthen strategic exchanges, political trust, persist in equality, mutual respect, firmly grasp the right direction for the Vietnam-China relationship; deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, promote the harmony of interests between the two countries, contribute to bringing happiness and improving the quality of life of the people; promote the tradition of friendship, increase exchanges between the two peoples, especially connecting meetings, increasing understanding and connecting feelings between the young generation; properly handle related disagreements on the basis of understanding and mutual respect, maintain the situation of Vietnam-China relations and peace and stability in the region, create a good external environment for the development of the two countries; strengthen coordination on international issues, join hands to respond to regional and global challenges, actively contribute to maintaining peace, promoting common development in the region and the world.

5. The two sides believe that the top leaders of the two Parties maintain regular exchanges, orient and guide the Vietnam-China relationship, which plays an important strategic role in the development of the relationship between the two Parties and the two countries.

The two sides agreed to continue to maintain and enhance the fine tradition of high-level exchanges between the two Parties and two countries through forms such as mutual visits, sending special envoys, hotline phone calls, exchanging emails, annual meetings and contacts at multilateral forums, promptly exchanging opinions on important issues in bilateral relations as well as the international and regional situation; orienting and directing at strategic heights for the stable and healthy development of the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership in the new era.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong meets with Chairman of the Chinese National People's Congress Li Zhanshu. (Photo: VNA)

6. The two sides agreed that the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Communist Party of China undertake the mission of leading the cause of building socialism in each country and promoting their role in providing political guidance for Vietnam-China relations. In the new situation, the two Parties need to consolidate their traditional cooperative advantages, encourage agencies, organizations and localities of the two Parties and the two countries to deepen exchanges and cooperation, contributing to protecting the Party and the socialist regime in each country and keeping the Vietnam-China relationship moving forward steadily and far.

The two sides agreed to promote the overall leadership and coordination role of the high-level meeting mechanism of the two Parties and the coordination and promotion role of the foreign affairs agencies of the two Parties, continue to effectively implement the "Cooperation Plan for the period 2021 - 2025 between the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Communist Party of China", "Cooperation Plan for the period 2021 - 2025 between the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Communist Party of China", well organize the theoretical workshop between the two Parties, strengthen exchanges and cooperation between the respective agencies of the two Parties at the Central level and local Party organizations, especially in the provinces/border areas, continue to carry out exchanges and learn from each other about theories and experiences in Party building, national governance, and prevention and combat of corruption and negativity; actively encourage friendly exchanges and cooperation between the Government and National Assembly of Vietnam and the Government and National People's Congress of China, and between the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and the Chinese National People's Political Consultative Conference.

The two sides agreed to promote the role of the Vietnam-China Bilateral Cooperation Steering Committee, master plan and promote exchanges and cooperation in areas such as diplomacy, defense, security, and law enforcement. Effectively implement the Agreement on enhancing cooperation between the two Foreign Ministries in the new situation, maintain regular contact between the leaders of the two ministries and exchanges between the respective Departments/Offices.

Defense cooperation is one of the pillars of the bilateral relationship. Continue to strengthen high-level contacts between the two armies; implement exchanges and cooperation such as Border Defense Friendship Exchange, Defense Strategy Dialogue, joint patrols in the Gulf of Tonkin between navies, hotline between the two Defense Ministries; deepen border cooperation, promote joint patrols on land borders between the border protection forces of the two countries.

Strengthen high-level exchanges between law enforcement agencies of the two countries, deepen cooperation on political security and law enforcement in all fields; closely coordinate and cooperate in multilateral security issues. Promote the role of mechanisms such as the Ministerial Conference on Crime Prevention, the Deputy Ministerial Strategic Security Dialogue, promote cooperation in the fields of counter-terrorism, combating "peaceful evolution", "color revolution", drug crimes, combating online and telecommunications fraud, cross-border gambling, human trafficking, high-tech crimes, immigration management, arrest of wanted criminals, etc. Promote negotiations and signing of the Agreement on the Transfer of Convicts from Vietnam to China, the Agreement on Cooperation in Crime Prevention between Vietnam and China, and the Plan for organizing peak periods to prevent and combat illegal entry and exit between the Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam and the Immigration Administration of China. The two sides agreed to continue to consolidate and enhance legal and judicial cooperation between the two countries to create a legal basis for enhancing comprehensive cooperation in all fields between Vietnam and China. Deepen cooperation in law enforcement at sea between the Coast Guards of the two countries, properly handle sudden incidents at sea, and jointly maintain security and stability at sea.

7. The two sides emphasized that Vietnam and China persevere on the socialist path with the fundamental goal of bringing prosperity and happiness to the people; need to promote the advantages of geographical proximity and mutual complementarity in industries, strengthen more substantive and effective cooperation in all fields, and better meet the interests of the people of the two countries.

(1) The two sides agreed to actively promote the connection of the two countries' development strategies, accelerate exchanges and sign a Cooperation Plan between the two governments on promoting the connection between the "Two Corridors, One Belt" Framework and the "Belt and Road" Initiative, deploy production capacity cooperation, cooperate in infrastructure construction and transport connection, and soon complete the assessment of the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong standard gauge railway planning.

(2) The two sides believe that e-commerce is an important field in bilateral economic and trade cooperation, continue to effectively implement the "Memorandum of Understanding on E-commerce Cooperation between the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam and the Ministry of Commerce of China", promote the role of the Working Group on E-commerce Cooperation, strengthen policy exchanges and share experiences on cross-border e-commerce development, promote cooperation between enterprises on logistics, research and promote cooperation between banks and national switching organizations of the two countries on e-payment, improve capacity for small, medium and micro enterprises to expand new trade and investment channels through e-commerce. China will continue to expand the consumption of unique, high-quality Vietnamese products through e-commerce consumption promotion activities.

(3) The two sides agreed to take practical measures to reduce the trade imbalance between the two countries and promote the import and export of more high-quality agricultural and food products from both countries. The Chinese side will actively promote the process of opening the market for sweet potatoes, citrus fruits, bird's nests and some agricultural and aquatic products from Vietnam. The Vietnamese side will actively promote the process of opening the market for Chinese milk.

The two sides agreed that ensuring epidemic prevention is ensuring customs clearance of goods, agreed to promote the role of the Joint Mechanism to resolve congestion at border gates and cooperate in epidemic prevention, maintain smooth trade activities at border gates on the premise of ensuring epidemic prevention, in order to ensure the supply chain of goods and facilitate customs clearance; continue to strengthen cooperation in preventing drugs and illegal trafficking of endangered animals, implement the joint law enforcement program "Mekong Dragon", ensure safe, healthy, balanced and favorable development of bilateral trade.

The Chinese side supports the Vietnamese trade promotion offices in Chongqing and Hangzhou to play an active role in economic and trade cooperation between the two countries. China agrees to support Vietnam in establishing other trade promotion offices in China; and welcomes Vietnam to participate in the 5th China International Import Expo.

(4) Vietnam is willing to create favorable conditions for businesses of the two countries to strengthen investment and economic-trade cooperation. China encourages qualified Chinese businesses to invest in Vietnam on market and trade principles.

(5) The two sides are ready to effectively implement the "Memorandum of Understanding on enhancing cooperation in ensuring supply chains between the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam and the Ministry of Commerce of China", promoting safety and stability of production and supply chains between the two countries.

(6) In order to promote the import and export of goods and increase trade turnover between the two countries, the two sides agreed to promote and facilitate cooperation in the fields of air, road and railway transport; promptly exchange and negotiate amendments to the Vietnam - China Border Railway Agreement signed in 1992; and support railway enterprises of the two countries to strengthen cooperation in increasing the volume of Vietnamese goods transiting through China.

(7) The two sides will continue to promote the role of the Vietnam-China Joint Committee on Agricultural Cooperation and the Joint Committee on Fisheries Cooperation in the Gulf of Tonkin, strengthen substantive cooperation in areas such as cultivation, agricultural product processing, comprehensive disease control of pests and diseases, deploy cooperation in seed release and protection of aquatic resources in the Gulf of Tonkin, and deepen investment cooperation in the agricultural sector. The two sides agreed to promote early negotiations and signing of a new Agreement on Fisheries Cooperation in the Gulf of Tonkin; reach consensus on the Agreement on Search and Rescue at Sea, the Agreement on Establishing a Hotline for Emergency Incidents in Fisheries Activities at Sea between Vietnam and China and agree to sign them soon.

Strengthen cooperation in sharing meteorological and hydrological data on the Red River - Nguyen River, Ky Cung - Ta Giang River, Mekong - Lancang River and international rivers to ensure improved capacity for drought and flood prevention. Promote cooperation in using and protecting water resources in a reasonable balance within the Mekong - Lancang cooperation mechanism, together improving the level of safe, effective and sustainable use of water resources.

(8) The two sides will continue to promote negotiations and move towards signing the Vietnam-China Health Cooperation Agreement, cooperating in sharing information and experience in biomedicine and pharmaceuticals to prevent the Covid-19 epidemic, and effectively implementing the cooperation project to prevent cross-border epidemics in the Mekong-Lancang region.

(9) The two sides are willing to promote the role of the mechanisms of the Joint Land Border Committee and the Vietnam-China Border Gate Management Cooperation Committee, continue to effectively implement legal documents on the Vietnam-China land border; strengthen security and order management in border areas, ensure synchronous disease prevention and facilitate customs clearance in border areas; continue to promote the opening of border gates/border openings, promote the construction of cross-border infrastructure, focusing on exchanging and agreeing on a plan to connect the railway section between Lao Cai station (Vietnam) - Hekou Bei station (China); maintain good order and promote development in border areas. The two sides agreed to promote the implementation of the Agreement on cooperation in protecting and exploiting tourism resources of Ban Gioc Waterfall (Vietnam) - Detian (China), and make efforts to soon put it into pilot operation for tourists of the two countries, thereby building a model of cross-border tourism and green tourism.

(10) The two sides agreed to actively explore exchanges and cooperation in areas such as green development, climate change response, digital economy, etc.; creating more growth points for Vietnam-China cooperation.

(11) The two sides agreed to continue to promote the role of the Vietnam-China Joint Committee on Science and Technology Cooperation; actively promote the implementation of science and technology cooperation, joint research and technology demonstration; and promote the exchange of delegations at all levels to deepen cooperation in the above-mentioned fields.

(12) The two sides agreed to continue to focus on closely implementing the common perception of the High-level Leaders and the Global Development Initiative, actively researching more cooperation projects to promote the economy and benefit people's lives.

8. The two sides agreed to enhance friendly exchanges between the people of the two countries, strengthen education on Vietnam-China friendship among the people, and enhance mutual understanding between the people of the two countries, especially the young generation.

The two sides agreed to effectively implement the Vietnam-China Cultural and Tourism Cooperation Plan, in accordance with the two countries' epidemic prevention policies, promote exchanges of delegations at all levels on culture and tourism, promote the recovery and healthy development of the tourism industry, and strengthen cooperation in the cultural industry. The Chinese side welcomes and supports Vietnam in establishing a Cultural Center in China; the Vietnamese side actively supports the activities of the Chinese Cultural Center in Hanoi.

The two sides agreed to effectively implement the Vietnam-China Education Cooperation Agreement; encourage sending international students to study in each country. The Chinese side attaches importance to Vietnamese students returning to China to study, and welcomes Vietnamese students who wish to return to school on the basis of doing a good job in epidemic prevention and control; declares that in the next 5 years, it will provide Vietnam with no less than 1,000 Chinese government scholarships, and no less than 1,000 scholarships for Chinese language teachers; and help Vietnam train high-quality talents and Chinese language teachers.

The two sides continue to organize friendly and cultural exchange activities such as the Vietnam-China Youth Friendship Meeting, the Vietnam-China People's Forum, the Border People's Festival, etc., and encourage localities of the two countries, especially border provinces (areas), to exchange friendly information and cooperate for mutual benefit. The two sides are willing to increase press and media exchanges and have reporters from both countries visit each other, strengthen the Vietnam-China friendship, create a social foundation and a good public opinion atmosphere for the development of bilateral relations.

9. The two sides had in-depth and frank exchanges of views on maritime issues; considered it extremely important to properly control disagreements and maintain peace and stability in the East Sea; agreed to properly handle maritime issues, making positive contributions to long-term peace and security in the region.

The two sides agreed to continue to adhere to the important common understanding reached between the leaders of the two Parties and the two countries and the “Agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of maritime issues between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the People's Republic of China”, effectively use the Vietnam-China government-level border negotiation mechanism, persistently pursue friendly consultation and negotiation, actively discuss transitional and temporary solutions that do not affect the stance and policies of each side; and seek long-term, fundamental solutions that are acceptable to both sides.

The two sides agreed to actively promote discussions on cooperation for joint development at sea and on the delimitation of the sea area outside the mouth of the Gulf of Tonkin, promoting the early achievement of substantial progress in the above two issues. The two sides are willing to continue to actively implement cooperation in less sensitive areas at sea; actively discuss the deepening and expansion of cooperation at sea in the Gulf of Tonkin on the basis of meeting the practical interests of both sides.

The two sides agreed to continue promoting the comprehensive and effective implementation of the “Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea” (DOC), on the basis of consultation and consensus, to soon reach an effective “Code of Conduct in the East Sea” (COC) with substantive content, in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982); well control disagreements at sea, not take actions that complicate the situation and expand disputes, maintain peace and stability in the East Sea and promote cooperation at sea.

10. The Vietnamese side reaffirms its adherence to the “One China” policy, supports the peaceful development of cross-strait relations and the great cause of China’s unification, resolutely opposes any form of “Taiwan independence” separatist actions, and consistently supports the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries. Vietnam does not develop any state-level relations with Taiwan. The Chinese side expressed its appreciation for the Vietnamese side’s stance.

11. The two sides agreed that the world and regional situation is evolving rapidly, complicatedly and unpredictably, tensions at hotspots are increasing, traditional and non-traditional security challenges are intertwined, multilateralism, economic globalization, peace and development of the world are facing many difficulties and major challenges. The international community needs to work together and devote all its efforts to peace, cooperation and development, adding stability and positive energy to the world.

The two sides emphasized that development is the guarantee of security, the key to solving difficult problems, and achieving happiness for the people. The Vietnamese side supports and is ready to participate in the Global Development Initiative, in appropriate content and manner, and strives with other parties to contribute to the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation within international and regional frameworks such as the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), China - ASEAN, Mekong - Lancang; well implement the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP); promote regional economic connectivity, and promote common development among countries. The Vietnamese side supports China's application to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and contributes to promoting economic and trade cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.

The two sides emphasized that security is a prerequisite for development. Vietnam actively acknowledges China's Global Security Initiative based on the goals and principles of the United Nations Charter. Vietnam is willing to work with China and relevant partners to maintain long-term peace and security in the world. The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation within the framework of the United Nations, maintain exchanges and close coordination on international and regional issues of mutual concern. Persistently implement and promote multilateralism, jointly protect international justice and fairness, and comply with the United Nations Charter and international law.

The two sides advocate that countries carry out exchanges and cooperation in human rights issues on the basis of equality and mutual respect, promote dialogue and international cooperation in the field of human rights, and not politicize human rights issues.

12. During the visit, the two sides signed a Cooperation Agreement between the Central External Relations Commission of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Central External Liaison Commission of the Communist Party of China; a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation between the Central Internal Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Central Political and Legal Commission of the Communist Party of China; a Memorandum of Understanding on Friendship Cooperation for the 2022-2027 period between the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations and the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries; a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation between the Ministry of Justice of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Ministry of Justice of the People's Republic of China; a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Ecology and Environment between the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People's Republic of China; a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China on Strengthening Cooperation in Ensuring the Vietnam-China Supply Chain; Plan for cultural and tourism cooperation between the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China for the period 2023 - 2027; Memorandum of Understanding between the General Administration of Customs, Ministry of Finance of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China on establishing priority areas of cooperation; Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China on food safety in bilateral trade between Vietnam and China; Protocol on phytosanitary requirements for fresh bananas exported from Vietnam to China between the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China; Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between Hanoi City, Capital of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and Beijing City, Capital of the People's Republic of China; Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the People's Government of Yunnan Province of the People's Republic of China on enhancing cooperation in the field of economy and trade; Memorandum of Understanding on enhancing exchanges and cooperation in the field of State assets and State-owned enterprises between the State Capital Management Committee at Enterprises of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the State Assets Supervision and Administration Committee of the People's Republic of China.

13. The two sides agreed that the official visit to China by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong was a great success, contributing positively to promoting the traditional solidarity and friendship between Vietnam and China, promoting and deepening the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between Vietnam and China in the new era, and promoting peace, stability and prosperous development in the region and the world. The two Parties and peoples are very pleased with these achievements.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong thanked General Secretary and President Xi Jinping, the Party, Government and people of China for their warm, warm and friendly reception and respectfully invited General Secretary and President Xi Jinping to soon visit Vietnam again. General Secretary and President Xi Jinping expressed his gratitude and happily accepted the invitation.