The six major orientations for future cooperation are stronger political trust; more practical cooperation in defense – security; deeper and more practical cooperation; more solid social foundation; further coordination; better management and settlement of differences. The People’s Army Newspaper respectfully introduces a series of articles on this content.
In his speech at the meeting with intellectuals and young people of Vietnam and China in Hanoi on December 13 on the occasion of the State visit to Vietnam of the Chinese leader and delegation, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong affirmed that over the past time the relationship between the two parties, countries and peoples has witnessed many important, profound, and comprehensive developments, as clearly demonstrated by enhanced mutual understanding and trust. The two countries have become each other’s leading economic partners.
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Vietnamese Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong invites his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to try Vietnamese tea at a tea party in Hanoi on December 12. Photo: Xinhua |
Stronger political trust comes first among six key orientations for future cooperation in the joint statement. Member of the Secretariat and Head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations Le Hoai Trung affirmed that political trust is the foundation of the relationship between the two parties and countries. In this joint statement, the two sides agreed to increase strategic exchanges, persist in equal treatment and mutual respect to further consolidate political trust. The document clearly says, “Both sides vowed to further enhance close exchanges between high-ranking leaders of the two parties and countries through such forms as bilateral visits, deployment of special envoys, hotlines, exchanges of messages, annual meetings and meetings at multilateral forums, engage in timely strategic discussions on important issues in bilateral ties as well as global and regional issues of shared concern, strategic orientations and directions for the stable and healthy development of ties between the two parties and countries in the new period.”
It is clear that through using such phrases as “close exchanges,” “annual meetings,” and “timely strategic discussions,” the two sides have identified targets, mechanisms, and specific measures to further strengthen political trust. In 2023, China's Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping visited Vietnam; State President Vo Van Thuong and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh paid visits to China. Last year, right after the 20th National Congress of the CPC, Vietnamese Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong paid an official visit to China.
Another example is the talks on December 12 between Politburo member, Standing member of the CPV Central Committee Secretariat and Head of the CPV Central Committee's Organization Commission Truong Thi Mai and member of the Politburo Standing Committee, Secretary of the Secretariat, and Director of the Office of the CPC Central Committee Cai Qi. Trung said that the talks were for the two sides to together “actualize common perceptions between Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping.” At the talks, the two sides discussed in depth the situations of and relations between the two parties and states, focusing on the orientations and measures to enhance the awareness of the ties in deepening and upgrading the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership, building a community of shared future, and striving for happiness of the peoples of the two countries and for peace and progress of the mankind in line with the U.N. Charter and international law.
More political trust between Vietnam and China has also been affirmed in the two sides’ agreement in “bringing into full play the special role of the Party channel” in the statement. Apart from the high-level meetings, the two sides will focus on enhancing the efficiency of the exchange and cooperation between the two Parties’ respective agencies at the central level, Party organizations of localities, especially border provinces (regions).
The head of Party's Commission for External Relations Le Hoai Trung emphasized that cooperation between the two parties’ agencies is very important. According to orientation in the joint statement, the two sides will approve the mechanism of theoretical workshop between the two parties and personnel training cooperation plans, promote delegation exchanges via the party channel, step up exchanges and consultations in Party building and country management, socialism building and such fields as organization, information and education/dissemination, inspection and discipline enforcement, corruption prevention and combat, judicial reform, mass mobilization/united front and socio-economy. Forms and measures to promote the special role of Party channel area have basically been identified.
Trung stressed that it is necessary to continue to promote efficiency and at the same time have new forms to meet the requirements. “For example, in terms of theoretical exchange, in 2024 the two sides will organize an annual theoretical seminar to discuss major issues and share experience, thereby strengthening mutual trust,” he said.
Political trust has helped the two countries not only achieve positive and comprehensive progress in cooperation in all fields over the past 15 years since the establishment of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership in 2008, but also control arising disagreements. For example, when there is a disagreement at sea, the two sides strictly follow the common perceptions of the leaders of Vietnam and China and the principles of handling issues at sea and sincerely and frankly exchange views on maritime issues to maintain peace and stability in the East Sea (South China Sea) and the region.
The fine traditional friendship together with political trust has boosted the Vietnam - China relations and actively contributed to the common development in the region and the world. The joint statement affirmed, “Vietnam and China are good neighbors, good friends, good comrades, and good partners, and both are socialist countries under the leadership of a communist party, with similar political regimes, compatible ideology and beliefs, similar development path, shared vision, shared future, and common efforts for a happy people and a wealthy and strong country and for the noble cause of peace and progress of mankind.”
Further strengthening political trust will orientate and guide the Vietnam - China relations in all fields, including the more practical cooperation in defense – security.
(to be continued)
By Ngoc Hung - Vu Hung - Van Duyen
Translated by Tran Hoai