Viet Nam, China convene 16th meeting of Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation

The two sides expressed their pleasure to witness the comprehensive development of the relations between the two Parties and two countries since the 15th meeting held in Ha Noi on December 2023.

Both sides agreed on several measures to effectively implement the common perceptions reached by senior leaders of the two countries to bring the relationship into a new development phase.

Deputy Prime Minister Bui congratulated China on its significant achievements in comprehensive reform, expressing his belief that under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee, with General Secretary and President Xi Jinping at its core, the Chinese people would successfully achieve the "Second Centennial" goals.

The Vietnamese Party and State attach great importance to strengthening and developing stable, healthy, and sustainable relations with China. This is a consistent principle, an objective requirement, a strategic choice, and a top priority in Viet Nam's foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralization and diversification of relations, affirmed Bui.

In reply, Wang said that China always considers Viet Nam as a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy. He expressed his belief that under the leadership of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV), led by General Secretary To Lam, Viet Nam will achieve its goals, becoming a developed, high-income country in the new era.

The two sides agreed to maintain high-level exchanges and enhance interactions via the Party channel and between the governments, parliaments, and fatherland fronts of Viet Nam and China.

They pledged to consolidate mechanisms for exchanges and cooperation in diplomacy, defence, security, and between administrations at all levels, sectors, localities and the people of both countries.

Both sides committed to organizing meaningful activities to mark the 75th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations and the "Year of Viet Nam-China Humanistic Exchange", in 2025 while enhancing coordination in multilateral forums.

Bui suggested both sides accelerate railway connectivity, prioritizing the implementation of three standard-gauge railway lines, namely Lao Cai – Ha Noi - Hai Phong; Lang Son – Ha Noi; and Mong Cai - Ha Long - Hai Phong.

He also suggested restoring the international intermodal rail transport route between the two countries and facilitating flight slots for Vietnamese airlines.

Bui underscored the importance of safe operations in the Ban Gioc (Viet Nam) - Detian (China) waterfall landscape site and called on China to further open its market for high-quality Vietnamese agricultural products and support the establishment of additional Vietnamese trade promotion offices in several Chinese localities.

In reply, Wang suggested the two sides enhance connectivity of development strategies, cooperate in formulating stable supply and production chains in the region, further strengthen collaboration for deeper, more effective progress and elevate the China – Viet Nam Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership to a new height, thus contributing practically to the building of a Viet Nam - China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.

Regarding maritime issues, the two sides engaged in candid discussions and agreed to seriously implement the high-level common perceptions, better control and resolve differences, and maintain peace and stability in the East Sea.

The Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister called for mutual respect for each other's sovereignty and legitimate interests, and effective utilization of maritime negotiation mechanisms.

Bui underlined the importance of further promoting substantive cooperation at sea and properly addressing maritime issues, including matters related to fishing vessels and fishermen, in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), as well as in the spirit of friendship and the positive development momentum of the bilateral relations between the two Parties and countries.

Bui also proposed China, together with ASEAN countries, expedite negotiations to soon reach an effective and substantive Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea.

On this occasion, the two sides exchanged the agreements between the two governments on cooperation in constructing three standard-gauge railway lines of Lao Cai – Ha Noi - Hai Phong; Lang Son - Hanoi; and Mong Cai - Ha Long - Hai Phong./.