Vietnam views its relationship with China as a strategic choice and a matter of top priority.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (r) and his Chinese counterpart Li Qiang during the meeting. Photo: Nhat Bac

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed this view when meeting with his Chinese counterpart Li Qiang today [September 6] on the sidelines of the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta.

During the meeting, the two prime ministers expressed satisfaction with the positive development of the Vietnam-China Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership. They agreed to enhance frequent communication between senior leaders at all levels to strengthen the effectiveness, substance, and depth of cooperation between the two nations.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh conveyed warm greetings from General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, President Vo Van Thuong, and National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue to General Secretary and President Xi Jinping and other Chinese leaders.

He emphasized that Vietnam considers its relations with China a comprehensive strategic priority. Vietnamese ministries and departments are working closely with their Chinese counterparts to implement various measures in line with the important shared objectives of the top leaders of both Parties and countries. This includes advancing high-level bilateral exchanges and interactions in the near future.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang conveyed the cordial greetings of General Secretary and President Xi Jinping, along with other senior Chinese leaders, to General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and the key leaders of Vietnam. He welcomed the participation of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in the opening ceremony of the 20th China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) to be held in Nanning, Guangxi, from September 16-19.

Li Qiang expressed his willingness to maintain regular high-level engagements for in-depth discussions on matters of mutual interest.

Building on the increased political confidence, economic, trade, and investment cooperation between the two nations continues to thrive. Vietnam is China's fourth-largest global trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching $175 billion in 2022. This accounts for a quarter of the trade volume between China and the ASEAN region.