PM Nguyen Tan Dung (R) and Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli. (Photo: VNA)

(VOVworld) – Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung received Chinese Deputy Prime Minister Zhang Gaoli in Hanoi on Thursday. Prime Minister Dung said one of the top priorities of Vietnam's foreign policy is to maintain and develop friendship and cooperation with the Party, Government and people of China. 
He suggested the two countries enhance friendship and cooperation and resolve differences to create an environment of peace and stability for cooperation and development. 

Chinese Vice Premier Zhang affirmed that China attaches importance to boosting cooperation with Vietnam and will spare no effort to deepen the two countries’ comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

With the common perception, PM Dung and Vice Premier Zhang agreed that the two sides will increase political trust by maintaining contacts and exchanges of high-ranking delegations. Through the meetings, the two sides should exchange views on important issues in the two countries’ ties and ease obstacles born during cooperation, ensuring the two countries’ relations develop on the right track, they said. During the meeting, host and guest concurred with enhanced cooperation in economics, trade, investment, and tourism.

Regarding the East Sea issue, Prime Minister Dung urged both countries to maintain effective control of sea-related differences; avoid activities that might complicate the circumstances further; strictly follow the basic principles guiding the settlement of sea-related issues between the two nations and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC); foster collaboration with ASEAN countries to complete a Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea; address sea disputes through peaceful measures in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea; and work together to maintain regional and international peace and stability.