Vietnam and China have agreed to strengthen their bilateral relations, aiming at a more robust, stable and sustainable long-term comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership at a higher level of effectiveness.

Overview of the meeting. Source: VNA

This view was shared at a meeting today [Dec. 12] between General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong and his Chinese counterpart, President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping.

At the meeting, Trong stressed that Xi's third visit to Vietnam coincides with the celebration of the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership (2008-2023), which shows Xi's deep feelings for the enduring friendship, the current status of bilateral relations and optimistic prospects for future cooperation.

The Vietnamese Party leader hailed the visit as an important historical milestone that will push the two parties' and countries' relations to unprecedented heights, in line with the aspirations and common interests of the two peoples for regional and global peace, cooperation, and development.

Highlighting Vietnam's consistent foreign policy, Trong reiterated the country's commitment to independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation, and development, as well as a diversified and multilateral approach to foreign relations.

"Vietnam strives to be a trustworthy friend, partner, and responsible member of the international community, adhering to the "4 No's" defense policy and actively engaging with the global community," Trong said.

Reiterating the paramount importance of developing relations with China, Trong expressed support for China's socialist development and recognized its significant contributions to global peace and progress.

Xi, for his part, warmly congratulated Vietnam on its achievements in nearly 40 years of reform, especially in implementing the resolutions of the 13th CPV National Congress.

He noted that China values its relations with Vietnam and firmly supports Vietnam's socialist development and prosperity.

Reviewing the 15 years since establishing the comprehensive strategic partnership for cooperation, the two leaders acknowledged the positive and comprehensive progress made in various fields. Facing new requirements, they agreed to build a community of shared strategic significance for the benefit of the two peoples and world peace and progress.

This initiative is based on the United Nations Charter and international law and emphasizes mutual respect, equal cooperation, and the peaceful resolution of differences.

The two leaders also agreed to continuously strengthen political trust and increase exchanges among senior leaders of both parties and nations. This commitment includes the use of diverse, flexible, and proactive approaches to enhance the strategic leadership role of the Party-to-Party ties in the overall bilateral relationship.

The agreement substantially strengthens defense and security cooperation as a fundamental pillar of the bilateral relations. It also emphasizes the promotion of more sustainable and deeper economic, trade, and investment cooperation.

Closer multilateral coordination is envisioned for the mutual benefit of both nations and to contribute positively to the common interests of the global community.

Vietnamese Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. Photo: Nhat Bac

On maritime issues, the two leaders had sincere and comprehensive discussions, stressing the need to better control and actively address maritime disputes to maintain peace and stability in the East Sea region.

Phu Trong urged both sides to abide by high-level common understandings, respect each other's legitimate interests, avoid complicating situations, and resolve disputes through peaceful means under international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982). The leaders committed to implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and advancing the negotiation of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) following UNCLOS 1982.

During the talks, Trong and Xi delved into various international and regional issues of mutual concern. The CPV General Secretary stressed the importance of countries jointly implementing policies of peace, cooperation and development in the face of complex international and regional developments. He stressed the importance of abiding by international law, promoting equality and respecting each other's legitimate interests, settling disputes peacefully, and refraining from the threat or use of force in international relations.

Echoing Trong's view, Xi called for a shared determination to elevate Vietnam-China relations to a more solid, stable, and sustainable long-term level of effectiveness under a new Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership.  Following the high-level talks, the two leaders jointly observed and were briefed on 36 cooperation agreements across various sectors signed between departments, ministries, and localities of the two countries. These agreements exemplify the rich and comprehensive outcomes achieved by both sides during this visit.