Vietnamese and Chinese delegates at the talks

(VOVworld) – China’s Vice Premier Li Keqiang says China values the development of friendly and neighbourly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation with Vietnam in all areas. Li made the confirmation in Hainan on Saturday while receiving his Vietnamese counterpart Hoang Trung Hai who is in the Chinese province for the annual Boao Forum for Asia. Li welcomed Hai to the forum, showing the Vietnamese government’s desire to boost economic cooperation in the region, as well as economic and trade ties between China and Vietnam. Both host and guest said that the two countries should continue to maintain high-level contacts and visits, considering them a decisive factor in strengthening bilateral relations. They proposed that relevant Vietnamese and Chinese agencies identify and sign the list of joint cooperation projects in the 2011-2015 period to be implemented as soon as possible in order to raise two-way trade revenue to 60 billion USD in 2015. Regarding sea-related issues, Vietnamese Deputy PM Hoang Trung Hai emphasized that both sides need to seriously realize the common consensus by their top leaders and the agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of marine issues between Vietnam and China so as to reasonably resolve disputes and pending issues at sea. Hai also requested China to unconditionally release two fishing vessels and 21 Vietnamese fishermen seized by China, and not to take action to further complicate the situation.  The same day, the Vietnamese leader met with La Bao Ming, Secretary of the Hainan provincial Party Committee.

Xuan Dan, VOV correspondent in China