Hanoi (VNA) 🧜– The Vietnamese parliament always wishes to promote cooperation with the National People’s Congress of China towards increasing mutual understanding and trust between the two countries, National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan said on November 8.

Welcoming Zhang Dejiang, Permanent Politburo member and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China in Hanoi, she said increased parliamentary cooperation will also improve the effectiveness of legislative activities. Ngan proposed that the two countries increase exchange of delegations at all levels as well as the sharing of information and experience, particularly in law building and supervision. She appreciated the signing of a cooperation agreement between the two sides, saying it will lay a firm foundation for bolstering ties. The NA Chairwoman emphasised that Vietnam attaches importance to maintaining exchanges and meetings between high-ranking leaders, thereby increasing political trust and facilitating the timely handling of existing and emerging issues between the two countries. She said she is confident that the Vietnam visit by Zhang Dejiang will contribute to maintaining and promoting the traditional friendship between the two countries, which will, in turn boost sustainable development of their comprehensive strategic partnership. The visit will also foster cooperation between the Vietnamese National Assembly and the National People’s Congress of China, she said. Zhang Dejiang said his visit is an opportunity for both sides to discuss strengthening and developing relations between the two Parties and States as well as increasing cooperation between the two legislative bodies. He said he will work with the Vietnamese NA to actively implement parliamentary cooperation agreements and increase exchanges of high-ranking delegations, agencies and friendship parliamentarians’ groups. The National People’s Congress of China will share with its Vietnamese counterpart its experiences in managing and building the country as well as in legislative activities, he said. He said the two countries should prioritise stability at sea, consider cooperation in exploitation as the common target, keep sea disputes under control and prevent them from expanding and becoming more complicated. He proposed that the two countries continue promoting cooperation at sea including joint exploration and exploitation of resources. Echoing the visitor’s sentiments and views, Chairwoman Ngan said Vietnam supports friendly and constructive exchanges, straightforward discussions about peaceful settlement of disputes in line with international law, while well controlling disagreements, stabilizing the situation at sea and maintaining a peaceful environment. She requested that both nations should resolutely abide by “common perceptions” of high-ranking leaders, particularly the “Agreement of basic principles guiding the settlement of issues at sea,” respecting the legitimate interests of each other in line with the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Vietnam wishes to continue to work with China and ASEAN to implement the Declaration on Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) in a full and effectively manner and speed up the building of a Code of Conduct (COC), she said. The two leaders agreed that with joint efforts, the relations between the two Parties, States and legislative bodies will develop and bear fruit. Later the same day, NA Chairwoman Ngan hosted a banquet for Zhang Dejiang and his entourage. Also on November 8, Zhang Dejiang paid floral tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum in Hanoi.-VNA