Beijing (VNA) – Developing stable, sustainable and long-term relations with China is a consistent policy, an objective requirement, a strategic choice and a top priority of Vietnam's foreign policy of indepen♓dence, self-reliance, multilateralisation and diversification of external ties, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

Meeting General Secretary of the Communist Party of China and President of China Xi Jinping in Beijing on June 26 as part of his working trip to attend the 15thWorld Economic Forum (WEF)’s Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2024, PM Chinh expressed support for China's development goals, including achieving its "second centenary" and building socialism with Chinese characteristics. Xi, for his part, affirmed that China highly values and considers the relationship with Vietnam a priority in its overall neighbourhood diplomacy policy. China backs Vietnam’s efforts in safeguarding national independence and dignity, consistently supports Vietnam in realising the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, successfully holding the 14th National Party Congress, and building socialism that matches the country’s context, he said. Both sides agreed to further concretise their shared high-level perceptions, particularly the Vietnam-China Joint Statement on further deepening and elevating the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and building the Vietnam-China Community with a Shared Future that carries strategic significance. The Chinese leader highlighted the need to enhance political trust, maintain regular high-level exchanges, and effectively uphold the Vietnam-China Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation mechanism. He called for increasing collaboration across key sectors such as diplomacy, national defence, and public security; improving efficiency in substantive cooperation; promoting people-to-people exchanges, especially among the younger generation; controlling and better resolving differences; and working closely at multilateral forums, contributing to global and regional development. Welcoming China’s high-quality investments in Vietnam, PM Chinh suggested that both sides collaborate in building large-scale, iconic, sustainable and highly effective projects; accelerate transport infrastructure connectivity, particularly in railways, roads and border crossings within the framework of connecting the "Two Corridors, One Belt" with the “Belt and Road” initiative. He specifically asked China to facilitate the export of key Vietnamese products such as frozen durian, fresh coconut, rice, making it easier for them to navigate Central Asia and Europe through China. Vietnam supports China's application to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), he said, proposing both sides continue discussions on this matter. The Vietnamese PM suggested promoting locality-to-locality cooperation as a new growth driver, studying the pilot model of cross-border economic cooperation zones, expanding border economic cooperation and developing smart border gates. He encouraged localities to proactively enhance cooperation, connect regional development strategies, and expand coordination in finance, banking, education, health care and others. Speaking highly of PM Chinh’s cooperation proposals, Xi affirmed that China supports Vietnam in accelerating industrialisation and modernisation, building stable and sustainable supply chains and production networks, regionally and globally, together with China and other nations. He expressed his desire for both sides to further reinforce joint work in trade, investment, tourism; and leverage their geographical proximity and complementary advantages, and consider piloting cross-border economic zones. China stays ready to expand the imports of quality Vietnamese goods, he said, adding that China advocates for deepening comprehensive reforms and developing new, quality production capabilities, which will create opportunities to advance trade, enhance road and rail transport and digital economic connectivity. The Chinese Government supports enterprises in increasing investments in Vietnam, especially in hi-tech and emerging industries, he said. On global and regional issues of shared concern, host and guest vowed to jointly control and satisfactorily handle differences to maintain peace and stability at sea. The Vietnamese leader proposed that both sides seriously follow the high-level common perceptions, respect each other's legitimate interests in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and ensure that disputes at sea do not affect the friendship between the two countries./.