Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang

Vietnam and China are neighbors with a long traditional friendship. Despite ups and downs in the history of their relationship, cooperation and friendship have been the main themes.

Promoting traditional friendship

Both countries are in an important phase of socio-economic development. The growth of each creates opportunities for the other. The two Parties and States share a number of interests. Vietnamese Ambassador to China Dang Minh Khoi spoke to VOV reporters prior to President Tran Dai Quang’s China visit: “The Vietnamese Party, State, and people pursue a consistent policy of respecting stable, friendly, and long-lasting friendship and cooperation with the Chinese Party, State, and people and sincerely want to work with China to boost the comprehensive strategic partnership and satisfactorily address disputes between the two countries. This is a consistent policy and a top priority in external relations between Vietnam and China.”

With determination and joint efforts of the two Parties, States, and peoples, the bilateral friendly neighborliness and comprehensive cooperation have been strengthened and have made important progress in recent years.

Substantial cooperation in all fields

From 2006 to 2016, bilateral trade increased from 9.9 billion USD to 72 billion USD. China has been Vietnam’s largest trading partner for 13 consecutive years. Last year, Vietnam was China’s largest ASEAN trading partner. China’s investment in Vietnam has increased sharply in recent years, as has the number of investment fields. Ambassador Khoi said: “In 2016, 2.8 million Chinese people visited Vietnam and that figure will increase in 2017. Vietnam ranked first among ASEAN countries in the number of visitors to China: 2 million. The two countries have worked closely in land border management and maintaining and safeguarding security and stability in border areas to build a border of peace, stability, cooperation, and friendship.”

Leaders of the two countries have promoted regular and open dialogue on maritime issues. They agreed to follow common perceptions and international law and pursue friendly talks to seek fundamental, long-term, and acceptable solutions to the East Sea issue. They agreed to comprehensively and fully implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea and work with ASEAN countries to finalize the Code of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea, effectively control disputes at sea, and maintain peace and stability in the East Sea.

Boosting win-win cooperation

President Tran Dai Quang’s visit to China and attendance at the Belt and Road International Cooperation Forum is of great importance. Ambassador Khoi again: “China pledged to implement the Belt and Road initiative in line with international law, the UN Charter, and the principle of “discussing, implementing and benefiting together” to promote connectivity and mutual support between countries during their development process and boost international cooperation toward the goal of “winning, developing, and flourishing together”. Vietnam is vitally interested in this initiative. President Tran Dai Quang’s attendance at the event shows Vietnam’s support for the forum.”

President Quang’s visit to China and attendance at the Forum will boost the relationship between the two Parties and countries and strengthen political trust between their leaders. It demonstrates Vietnam’s wish to cooperate with China and other countries to promote peace, development, and prosperity on the basis of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit, the UN Charter, international law, and respect for the national independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of participating countries.