Vietnamese, Chinese Presidents hold talks in Beijing

Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang began a three-day state visit to China on June 19 at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang and Chinese President Xi Jinping
Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang and Chinese President Xi Jinping

The two Presidents reviewed their bilateral ties over the past years in all fields, and exchanged opinions on directions and major measures to further develop the neighbourly friendship and the comprehensive strategic co-operative partnership between their two countries.

President Xi Jinping said China attaches great importance to President Sang’s visit, adding that he believes it will create new momentum for the relationship between the two countries. He said he hopes it will enhance understanding, trust, and mutually-beneficial co-operation between the two Parties and nations, and promote friendship between the two peoples.

He affirmed that China treasures its traditional friendship and co-operation with Vietnam,  which has been nurtured by leaders of both countries. He also stressed that it is a precious asset to both Parties and nations, and should be embraced and promoted by both sides.

President Sang thanked the Chinese leaders and people for their warm welcome. On behalf of the Vietnamese Party, State and people, he congratulated China on the success of the 18th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party in late 2012 and the first session of the 12th National People’s Congress and the People’s Political Consultative Congress in March, which elected new Party and State leadership for China and mapped out major policies and orientations for the country’s future development.

President Sang also conveyed best regards from Vietnam’s Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong to the Chinese Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping as well as other Chinese leaders.

He reiterated the Vietnamese Party, State and people’s basic, consistent and long-standing policy of treasuring the country’s friendly neighbourliness and comprehensive co-operation with China . He added that the Vietnamese Party, State and people are willing work together with the Chinese Party, State and people to raise the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between Vietnam and China to a new level.

The two sides were pleased to note positive new developments in their bilateral relations and spoke highly of the action programme for implementing the Vietnam-China strategic co-operative partnership and a number of other important documents that were signed during President Sang’s visit.

They agreed it is necessary to further deepen the political trust between the two Parties and countries; increase high-level visits, contacts and exchanges; and effectively implement co-operation agreements between the Parties, ministries, agencies and localities on both sides.

There will also be more exchanges between mass organisations, especially those involving young people, in order to strengthen education about the friendship and mutual understanding between the two countries.

Both sides need to perfect and bring into full play bilateral cooperation mechanisms, especially the Steering Committee for Vietnam-China Bilateral Co-operation, and push practical co-operation to gain new progress.

The two sides agreed to boost mutually-beneficial co-operation in all fields of economics, trade, culture, sports, tourism, education, health care, and science and technology, with a view to continually enrich the content of the comprehensive strategic co-operative partnership between Vietnam and China .

President Sang suggested that the two sides instruct their ministries and sectors to thoroughly grasp and effectively deploy the co-operation agreements signed previously and on the occasion of this visit, and continuously improve the quality of co-operation in the trade and economics.

They should also co-ordinate effective measures to maintain stable growth in bilateral trade and strive to raise two-way trade to US$60 billion by 2015. President Sang welcomed China to invest an major infrastructure, construction, manufacturing, and support industry projects in Vietnam and apply its modern and advanced technology.

The two sides signed a revised agreement on border defence and working statutes of the Vietnam-China Joint Committee on land border gate management during President Sang’s visit, saying these agreements will increase management efficiency and co-ordination between the two sides, maintain security and facilitate border exchanges and trade.

It was agreed to maintain regular exchanges and dialogues on sea issues and adhere strictly to the Vietnam-China agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of sea-related issues.

They agreed to settling disputes peacefully based on international law and try to find mutually acceptable long-term solutions for resolving maritime issues, while not allowing them to affect the healthy development of relations between the two countries or peace and stability in the East Sea .

The two sides agreed to implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), work together to maintain stability in the East Sea, and carry out agreed projects in less sensitive marine-related fields.

President Sang emphasised fishing, which is closely related to the livelihood and interests of millions of Vietnamese, and to strengthen co-ordination to ensure the legitimate rights and interests of fishermen.

He suggested that the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture co-ordinate closely to establish a hotline to deal with any unexpected sea fishing issues that may arise.

The two leaders affirmed that their countries need to co-ordinate more closely at multilateral forums, including the United Nations, World Trade Organisation (WTO), Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum, and Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), as well as various regional Forums .

President Sang invited Chinese President Xi Jinping and other high-ranking Chinese leaders to visit Vietnam and President Xi Jinping accepted the invitation with pleasure. In return, he invited Vietnamese General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and high-ranking Vietnamese leaders to visit China at a convenient time.

After the talks, the two Presidents witnessed the signing of several cooperative documents including:

-The Vietnamese Chinese Governments’ joint plan of action for implementing the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

-A border defence agreement between the two Ministries of Defence.

-An agreement between Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) and China’s Ministry of Agriculture on establishing a hot line for emergencies related to fishing operations at sea.

- A framework agreement between the two governments on China providing preferential credit worth RMB320 million for a railway information system in Vietnam.

- Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on establishing cultural centres in each country.

- Working statutes of the Vietnam -China Joint Committee on Land Border Gate Management.

- An agreement between MARD and China’s General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine on co-operation on animal and plant imports, exports and quarantines.,

- A co-operation plan between the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations and China’s People’s External Friendship Association for the 2013-2017 period.

- An agreement on US$45 million in preferential buyer’s credit for the Ninh Binh Fine Coal-based Urea Plant project.

- The fourth renewal of the Vietnam Oil and Gas Corporation (PetroVietnam) and China National Offshore Oil Corporation ( CNO OC) agreement on joint exploration in designated offshore areas in the Gulf of Tonkin.

VNA