Foreign minister hosts China’s Guangxi leader

During the session, the two sides were delighted at the sound development of the Viet Nam-China relations, especially after Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong visited China last year.

They agreed that the visit's success created a strong impetus for the growth of the traditional friendship between the two Parties and the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries.

Guangxi is a locality with a unique traditional friendship with Viet Nam and has maintained close economic-trade links with Vietnamese localities. Trade between Viet Nam and Guangxi accounts for a large proportion of the bilateral trade relationship between the two countries.

Minister Bui affirmed that Viet Nam always treasures friendly neighbourliness and comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership with China, considering the ties a top priority in the country's foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multi-lateralization and diversification of external relations.

He thanked Guangxi for providing medical equipment to Viet Nam to support the country in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bui suggested that the two sides increase visits and meetings among sectors and agencies at all levels, and roll out measures to further enhance the efficiency of the customs clearance process.

The two sides should work closely together to complete the procedures to upgrade several border gate pairs and open new ones while strengthening collaboration in managing and ensuring border security, thus facilitating friendship exchanges and travelling activities between the two countries.

For his part, Liu briefed his host on the socio-economic situation of Guangxi, affirming that the locality pays special attention to the friendship and win-win cooperation with Viet Nam's ministries, sectors and localities.

Liu requested Viet Nam's support in organizing the 20th China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) in Guangxi.

He also pledged that the Chinese locality will coordinate with the Vietnamese side to organise the Spring meeting for provincial Party Committees' secretaries and the 15th meeting of the joint working group of Guangxi and Vietnamese provinces of Ha Giang, Quang Ninh, Lang Son and Cao Bang in Guangxi in 2024.

The Chinese official also raised several proposals for cooperation in various areas, such as transport infrastructure connections, customs clearance facilitation, tourism, and people-to-people exchange./.