Hanoi talks help deepen Vietnam-China strategic partnership

Both sides highly appreciated positive developments in bilateral relations over the past time, noting that senior leaders of the two countries have maintained regular contact and exchanges in flexible forms since the beginning of 2021, outlining orientations for cooperation in all fields.

They agreed that given the current complicated and profoundly changing international situation, strengthening political trust and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and China meets the fundamental and long-term interests of the two peoples.

The two ministers concurred that their foreign ministries will continue to closely coordinate and consult their leaders to increase contact and exchanges and promote comprehensive cooperation between the two countries in the new period.

The two ministers discussed in depth specific coordination measures in COVID-19 prevention and control in order to maintain trade and economic cooperation activities.

Minister Bui Thanh Son thanked China for donating an additional three million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to Vietnam, and expressed his hope that the two sides would continue to ramp up cooperation in this field, especially in vaccine and  drug production for COVID-19 treatment.

He suggested that China facilitate customs clearance procedures for Vietnamese goods, especially agricultural products, through border gates, and increase the import of Vietnamese fruits, so as to help balance bilateral two-way and maintain supply and production chains of the two countries.

He asked China to promote infrastructure projects such as the Cat Linh - Ha Dong elevated rail route and a number of Chinese-funded projects so that they would be soon put into use.

Both sides openly and frankly exchanged opinions on border and territorial issues, and proposed specific measures to well manage the common land border and promptly resolve problems that may arise.

They agreed to continue to strictly adhere to high-level common perceptions, well control disagreements at sea, and jointly maintain peace and stability in the East Sea. They vowed to work alongside ASEAN to promote negotiations and soon achieve an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Minister Son emphasized the need to respect the legitimate rights and interests of coastal states, in line with international law, including UNCLOS.