Beijing, December 11, 2024 – The Europe Today: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bùi Thanh Sơn and Politburo Member Wang Yi, Director of the Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee’s Commission for Foreign Affairs and Minister of Foreign Affairs, co-chaired the 16th meeting of the Vietnam-China Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation in Beijing on Tuesday.
The meeting highlighted the comprehensive development of cooperative relations between the two Parties and nations since the 15th meeting in Hà Nội last December. Both sides engaged in in-depth discussions and agreed on measures to implement the common visions of their senior leaders, aiming to elevate bilateral ties to a new phase of development.
Deputy PM Sơn congratulated China on its remarkable achievements in reform and expressed confidence that under the leadership of the CPC, with Xi Jinping at its core, China would achieve its “Second Centennial” goals. He reaffirmed Vietnam’s consistent policy of fostering stable, healthy, and sustainable relations with China, which remains a strategic priority in its foreign policy.
Minister Wang Yi emphasized China’s recognition of Vietnam as a key partner in its neighborhood diplomacy. He expressed belief in Vietnam’s capacity to achieve its development goals under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV).
The meeting underscored the positive progress in Vietnam-China relations, including enhanced high-level exchanges, robust economic and trade growth, improved transport connectivity, and dynamic local and people-to-people exchanges. Both sides agreed to maintain high-level interactions and expand cooperation through Party channels, governments, and parliaments.
Discussions focused on deepening economic ties, with Sơn proposing acceleration of railway connectivity, particularly for three key routes: Lào Cai – Hà Nội – Hải Phòng, Lạng Sơn – Hà Nội, and Móng Cái – Hạ Long – Hải Phòng. He also emphasized safe management of the Ban Gioc – Detian Waterfall site and called for expanded access for Vietnamese agricultural products and increased high-quality Chinese investments in Vietnam.
On maritime issues, both sides agreed to uphold high-level consensus, manage differences effectively, and maintain peace in the East Sea (South China Sea). Deputy PM Sơn urged adherence to international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS, and stressed the importance of expediting a substantive Code of Conduct (COC) in cooperation with ASEAN.
The meeting concluded with an exchange of agreements on cooperative projects, reflecting the shared commitment to deepening the China-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and contributing to a shared future with strategic significance.
