Manila (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuchad a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang shortly after the 31st ASEANSummit concluded a plenary session in Manila, the Philippines, on November 13.

PM Phuc extended congratulations to Premier Lion the successful 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC)and his re-election as member of the CPC’s Politburo Standing Committee.

He noted with satisfaction that joint effortshave helped the two countries made progress in their relations, especially themaintenance of regular meetings between their leaders. He also thanked Chinafor supporting 10 million RMB to help flood victims in Vietnam.

During the freshly concluded State visit toVietnam and his attendance in the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Da Nang byCPC General Secretary and President Xi Jinping, the two sides reached animportant common perception on promoting the Vietnam-China comprehensivestrategic cooperative partnership in a stable, healthy and sustainable manner,the PM said, adding that Vietnam respects the comprehensive strategiccooperative partnership with China.

He asked ministries, sectors and localities ofthe two countries to coordinate closely to enhance cooperation effectiveness,increase bilateral trade and take effective measures to boost the balanced andhealthy growth of their trade.

China should continue facilitating the import ofgoods that Vietnam is strong at, particularly agro-forestry-fishery products.It should also ensure the progress and quality of China’s investment projectsin Vietnam while encouraging Chinese businesses to step up investing in hi-techprojects in Vietnam, PM Phuc said.

He also called on China to bolster ties infinance, agriculture, environment, transport, and science-technology whileasking both sides to connect the “Two Corridors and One Economic Belt”framework and the “Belt and Road” initiative well.

[Vietnam, China issue joint statement]

With regard to sea-related issues, the Vietnameseleader applauded ASEAN and China’s consensus on a framework of a Code ofConduct of Parties in the East Sea (COC). He also lauded the two countries’effective cooperation in less sensitive sea-related fields and the release offishery resources into the Tonkin Gulf.

PM Phuc urged both countries comply withimportant common perceptions reached by their Party and State leaders and theagreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of sea-related issues. 

Vietnam and China need to persist in settlingdisputes by peaceful means, in accordance with international law, including the1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. They also need to promotesubstantive negotiations to build a valid and effective COC, controldisagreements well, and maintain peace and stability in the East Sea, he added.

For his part, Premier Li congratulated Vietnamon successfully organising the 2017 APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting. He affirmedthat the Chinese Party, State and people attach great importance to theconsolidation and development of the friendship and comprehensive cooperationwith Vietnam.

The two sides need to thoroughly grasp the sounddevelopment orientation for China-Vietnam relations, increase high-levelmeetings to discuss strategies and major issues in bilateral ties, and continuedeepening cooperation in all aspects to ensure mutual benefits.

Premier Li agreed with PM Phuc about the needfor China to take measures to promote balanced trade and continue facilitatingthe import of Vietnamese goods into China.

In terms of sea-related matters, he said bothsides need to seriously implement the reached common perceptions, manage andcontrol disagreements well, maintain peace and stability at sea and the overallsituation of the two countries’ relations, thereby bringing about practicalbenefits for the two peoples.

At the meeting, PM Phuc invited Premier Li tovisit Vietnam in a near future. The Chinese leader accepted the invitation withpleasure.-VNA