Nanning (VNA) – Deputy Prime Minister ofVietnam Truong Hoa Binh had a meeting with Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli inNanning city, the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, on September 11.

Deputy PM Binh was in Nanning to visit theGuangxi region and attend the 14th China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) and theChina-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (CABIS) at the invitation of theChinese Government.

Talking to his host, Binh congratulated China onenormous achievements it has attained in the reform and opening-up, wishing thecountry a successful organisation of the 19th national congress of theCommunist Party of China (CPC). 

He expressed his belief that under the leadershipof the CPC Central Committee with the CPC General Secretary and President XiJinping being the core, the Chinese people will continue to obtain even greaterattainments in the building of a socialist country that is modern, harmoniousand prosperous.

He thanked the Chinese Government for stronglysupporting Vietnamese businesses and localities to attend the 14th CAEXPO andvoiced his belief that the event will be successful.

Hailing recent strides in the two countries’ bilateralrelations, Deputy PM Binh affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and Governmentattach importance to the enhancement of cooperation and friendship with Chinaand consider this as one of the top priorities in Vietnam’s foreign policy.

He asked both sides to continue effectivelyimplementing the important common perceptions the two countries’ leaders havereached and coordinate to well prepare for high-level visits and meetings,especially a State visit to Vietnam and attendance in the APEC EconomicLeaders’ Meeting by General Secretary and President Xi Jinping later this year.

Vietnam and China should promote substantiveprogress in all cooperation spheres, soon tackle difficulties and furtherimprove the quality of cooperation in economy-trade, investment and finance.They also need to keep expanding ties in agriculture, nuclear safety,environmental protection, water resources management, climate change responseand railway transport connectivity, he noted.

Binh also applauded China’s “Belt and Road”initiative, adding that Vietnam is ready to promote connecting this initiativewith the “Two Corridors and One Economic Belt” framework, thus benefiting bothsides.

Regarding sea-related issues, the Deputy PMrequested both sides comply with the agreements and the important commonperceptions reached by leaders of the two Parties and countries. Accordingly,they need to have a good control of sea-related disagreements, not complicatethe situation, seriously carry out the agreement on basic principles guidingthe settlement of sea-related issues, fully and effectively implement theDeclaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and promotesea-related negotiation mechanisms to soon reach substantive progress.

He highly valued ASEAN and China’s approval of aframework for a code of conduct of parties in the East Sea (COC), adding thatearly finalisation of the COC will help maintain peace, security and stabilityin the region.

[Vietnam-China freight route opens to traffic]

At the meeting, Vice Premier Zhang stressed theVietnamese delegation’s participation in the 14th CAEXPO and the CABIS showsthat the Vietnamese Government treasures the two countries’ relations as wellas China-ASEAN cooperation, and it will greatly contribute to the expo’ssuccess.

He affirmed that the Chinese Party andGovernment attach importance to bilateral ties and are together with Vietnam tomaintain high-level meetings, intensify political trust, bolster substantivecooperation, increase people-to-people exchanges and strengthen the traditionalfriendship. 

China will also join Vietnam in controllingdisagreements and stepping up the stable, healthy and sustainable developmentof the countries’ comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, he noted.

Also on September 11, Deputy PM Binh and theVietnamese Government attended the opening ceremony for Vietnam’s nationalpavilion and pavilion of trade at the 14th CAEXPO.

More than 120 companies of Vietnam with 250booths covering 5,000 sq.m. of ground are taking part in the expo. Mainproducts on display include agricultural products, processed food, footwear,consumer goods, household appliances, wood products and handicrafts.-VNA