At the meeting, the minister stated that Vietnam consistently attaches importance to consolidating and developing its comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership with China, considering this a top priority in the country’s overall foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, and diversification and multilateralization of external relations.
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Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son (right) receiving Chinese Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Nong Rong (Photo: baoquocte.vn) |
He said that the relationship between the two parties and countries is in a new period with great advantages and huge potential for cooperation.
The Vietnamese Foreign Minister suggested the two sides continue to maintain contacts and exchanges at all levels; improve the quality and efficiency of cooperation, develop trade in a more balanced and sustainable manner; expand investment cooperation in parallel with settling obstacles in several key projects; promote transport connectivity, and soon resume flights between the nations to facilitate travel of people and flows of goods, especially in the context that the two countries have opened their doors after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Agreeing with the host’s suggestions for the promotion of the nations’ collaboration in the time to come, Nong Rong affirmed that China treasures its relations with Vietnam and is willing to work with Vietnam to increase exchanges, consolidate political trust via all-level contacts, and constantly enhance the friendship and comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries.
The guest wished that the two sides would continue to promote economic-trade cooperation, investment, transport connection, culture, education, and tourism. He proposed Vietnam continue to create a fair and favorable business climate for Chinese businesses.
Regarding the East Sea (South China Sea) issue, the two sides emphasized the importance of strictly implementing agreements and common perceptions of senior leaders of the two parties and countries, well controlling and properly settling disagreements at sea.
The Vietnamese minister suggested the two sides respect each other's legitimate rights and interests in accordance with international law, especially the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982; and make efforts to maintain peace and stability at sea for the development of each country and making positive contribution to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and in the world.
The same day in Hanoi, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son met with former Prime Minister of the U.K. and President of the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI) Tony Blair on the occasion of his working visit to Vietnam.
During the conversation, Minister Bui Thanh Son expressed delight at the fruitful development of the Vietnam – U.K. strategic partnership and highly appreciated the U.K.’s attention to fostering cooperative relationship with Asia-Pacific countries, including Vietnam.
Appreciating Mr. Tony Blair's contribution during his tenure (1997-2007) to the relationship between the two countries, the Vietnamese Foreign Minister hoped that Mr. Tony Blair will further help promote the bilateral cooperation in the coming time.
For his part, Mr. Tony Blair expressed the delight at visiting Vietnam again and witnessing its impressive socio-economic changes and affirmed that the U.K. wishes to strengthen and deepening the relationship with Vietnam, an important partner of the U.K. in the region. He pledged to continue striving to foster the relationship between the two countries in all fields.
Translated by Chung Anh