The Vietnamese government and its people give strong priority to bolstering its neighboring friendship with China.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and State President Nguyen Phu Trong gave the statement in a meeting with Chinese Minister of Public Security Zhao Kezhi on February 19.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and State President Nguyen Phu Trong (r) and Chinese Minister of Public Security Zhao Kezhi (l). Photo: VNA.

“Vietnam is willing to work with China in resolving disputes and ensuring effective cooperation in various fields, in turn contributing to a healthy and stable development of bilateral relations,” stressed Trong.

The Vietnam’s State President suggested the two ministries of Public Security should continue realizing the shared visions of two countries’ leaders in security cooperation and law enforcement.

“Both ministries should play an active role in containing the Covid-19 pandemic and boosting economic recovery,” he added.

Chinese Minister Zhao Kezhi congratulated the success of Vietnam’s 13^th Party Congress, saying this would open a new chapter in the country’s efforts of building a socialist society.

“The Vietnamese people under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam would continue to gain greater achievements in the process of development,” said Zhao.

According to Zhao, the two ministries would continue to tighten cooperation in crime prevention and fight, which helps take the Vietnam-China relations to a new height, bring substantial benefits for people and contributes to building a peaceful and stable region and the world.

Vietnam to safeguard national legitimate interests

Overview of the meeting between Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and the Chinese Minister of Public Security. Photo: Quang Hieu.

On the same day, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc held a meeting with the Chinese Minister of Public Security.

The Vietnam PM expected the two countries to continue the fight against drug-related crimes, human trafficking, cybercrime, and illegal immigration.

Phuc noted economic cooperation remains a spotlight in bilateral relations, saying Vietnam has surpassed Germany as China’s sixth largest trading partner with trade turnover of US$133 billion in 2020.

Vietnam is currently home to 3,200 projects from China worth US$19 billion, making the latter seventh largest investor out of 142 countries and territories having investment projects in Vietnam.

Given the complicated global situation and for the mutual benefits of the two countries, PM Phuc said “Vietnam truly wants to maintain peace and stability in the region,” .

“The Communist Party of Vietnam is responsible for ensuring the national legitimate interests, at the same time support China’s development,” noted Phuc, adding this would contribute positively to peace, cooperation and prosperity of the region and in the world.