(VOVWORLD) - Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong and Chinese Party leader and President Xi Jinping stressed the importance of relations between the two countries during a meeting in Beijing on Friday.
 President Vo Van Thuong meets Chinese Party leader and President Xi Jinping, Beijing, October 20, 2023. (Photo: VNA) |
President Thuong, who was in China for the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, congratulated China on the major achievements it has gained since the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and reaffirmed that the Party, State, and people of Vietnam always consider consolidating and developing ties with China a strategic choice and a top priority in Vietnam’s foreign policy.
Party General Secretary and President Xi said China always considers Vietnam a priority in its diplomacy and welcomes and supports Vietnam’s advancement, modernization and industrialization for joint development.
President Thuong suggested both sides further deepen ties to elevate their comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership; promote substantive cooperation with a focus on balanced and sustainable economic and trade cooperation and increasing imports of goods, particularly Vietnamese farm produce; enhance transportation connectivity and soon implement agreements on Chinese aid to Vietnam; and coordinate to solve pending issues in some cooperation projects.
Mr. Thuong proposed that both sides create a favorable environment for their already fruitful bilateral relationship. He said both sides should strive to effectively control and appropriately settle disagreements at sea, respect each other’s legitimate rights and interests in line with international law and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and work with related countries to make the East Sea a sea of peace, friendship, cooperation, and development.
Party leader and President Xi emphasized the importance of substantive and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries and affirmed that China is ready to import more Vietnamese goods including agricultural and manufacturing products.
He proposed that the two sides strengthen the connection between the belt and road initiative and the “two corridors, one belt” framework; promote strategic cooperation areas such as infrastructure, transportation connectivity, sharing of experience in state-owned enterprise reform; and well settle and control disagreements for peace and stability at sea and in the region.