Vietnam and China seek to expand cooperation and development of the bilateral relationship to boost socio-economic growth and accelerate progress in the world.

Vietnamese Communist Party's General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong (left) meets his counterpart Xi Jinping during an official visit to China on October 31-November 1, 2022. Source: Vietnam News Agency

In a joint statement issued following the visit of the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Nguyen Phu Trong, to the neighboring country at the invitation of the General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party and President of the People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping, from October 31 to November 1, 2022, the two sides affirmed that Vietnam and China are "good neighbors and good friends," "good comrades and good partners" and that the two nations share the same purpose of ensuring happiness, wealth and prosperity for peoples and countries.

The statement says that the long-term relationship between the two countries is valuable, and the two nations must work together to preserve and develop the bilateral relationship.

"Looking to the future, the two parties and countries should persist in their forward direction, promote the unceasing development of socialism and show the advantages and bright future of the socialist institution."

Amid global uncertainties, the two parties and countries must be persistent with their strategies, uphold the motto of “friendly neighborliness, comprehensive cooperation, long-term stability and future-oriented thinking” and the spirit of "good neighbors, good friends, good comrades, good partners" to develop a healthy, stable Vietnam-China relation.

The two nations will increase strategic exchange activities on mutual respect and mutual benefit, improve people's living conditions and enhance people-to-people exchanges.

In addition, Vietnam and China will settle their disputes through peaceful solutions based on mutual respect, facilitate the growth of the two economies, and contribute to the region's stability and the world.

Vietnam and China agreed that regular discussions between the two general secretaries are vital to developing the strategic bilateral relationship.

In the future, the top leaders of the two countries will hold regular visits and talk to exchange ideas on important issues of the two nations, the region, and the world, as well as provide a proper direction for a stable and healthy Vietnam-China relationship.

The two parties also consent that more exchanges will be held to share practices and experiences in party-building, administration systems, and anti-corruption. The two sides also encourage the two governments and top organizations to increase their meetings to promote cross-border friendship.

Furthermore, Vietnam and China agree to strengthen the role of the Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation regarding general planning, political exchange, security, law enforcement, and foreign affairs.

Recognizing that national defense is of utmost importance to the bilateral relationship, Vietnam and China agreed to strengthen cooperation and meetings between high-ranking officials, implement programs and exchanges between the two military forces, and improve the quality of patrolling on land and at sea.

The joint statement stressed that Vietnam and China should capitalize on the advantages of geographical proximity and enhance substantive and practical cooperation in all fields to meet their people's interests better.

In this regard, the two sides agree to promote partnership in infrastructure and transportation, cross-border trade in agricultural products, e-commerce and e-payment, and drug trafficking.

In addition, Vietnam is willing to facilitate Chinese companies to set up and expand their operations there. The two nations will also foster the development of supply chains, secure the exploration of natural resources, work on health issues and prevent disease outbreaks, promote green and sustainable tourism, and enhance cultural and educational exchanges.

The two countries will also enhance their cooperation in green development, climate change response, digital economy, and science and technology and initiate new projects to boost the quality of living conditions for the people.

Vietnam and China will seek peaceful solutions to resolve existing and emerging problems in the South China Sea to ensure regional security and economic development based on the principles of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982). The two sides hope to reach the finalization of the South China Sea Code of Conduct (COC) soon.

As the world is experiencing some complicated developments, and political and social tensions, Vietnam and China will join the implementation of global initiatives that facilitate sustainable socio-economic growth in the two countries and the Asia-Pacific region.

The two nations are willing to cooperate and maintain security in the countries and the region, promote multilateral relationships, and work with other countries to uphold global security in respect of the UN Charter and international laws.