China-Viet Nam relations enter new development stage: Ambassador Xiong Bo

Speaking at a press conference on the threshold of President Vo Van Thuong's visit to attend the 3rd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing from October 17-20, Xiong Bo said that after 15 years of their comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, China and Viet Nam have enjoyed stable and well-developed relations.

The two countries have also increased high-level meetings, with the visit by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Nguyen Phu Trong to China last year after the 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party as the most apparent proof.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong was the first foreign leader that China invited and officially welcomed immediately after the 20th Congress. This was a visit of historical significance, Bo said, adding that since the beginning of this year, leaders of the two sides have continued to maintain regular exchanges and contacts. In addition to improving political trust, Viet Nam and China have also strengthened investment, economic and trade cooperation, which Xiong Bo said has been important for the development of each country.

China maintains its position as Viet Nam's largest trading partner and Viet Nam is China's largest trading partner in ASEAN. In the first nine months of this year, China ranked second in terms of investment in Viet Nam.

According to the diplomat, another highlight of the China-Viet Nam relationship is the constant coordination, exchange and cooperation in regional and international issues.

China respects and supports Viet Nam in further promoting its important and constructive role in regional and international issues, he said.

Amid conflicts in several regions around the world, the stable situation in Asia-Pacific can help the region become a main driver for global economic growth, said Bo, adding that economies in the region, including China and Viet Nam, now wield increasing influence and stronger voices.

He said that overall, Viet Nam-China relations "have more opportunities than challenges" as the political trust between the high-ranking leaders of the two Parties and States has been increasingly solidified and the bond between the two countries' people is becoming stronger and stronger./.