Vietnam, China issue joint statement, agree to bolster cooperation

The statement, announced during the official visit of General Party Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong to China, says Vietnam and China are good friends, neighbors and partners, and both strive for their people's happiness, the prosperity of both countries, and for peace and humanity's development, the Vietnam News Agency reported.

Both countries would promote strategic development connection between the two, hastening exchanges regarding the connectivity between the "Two Corridors, One Belt" framework and the "Belt and Road" initiative, and completing the evaluation for the planning of the Lao Cai-Hanoi-Hai Phong railway, which connects Vietnam capital Hanoi, port city Hai Phong with China border.

Both countries highly value the role of e-commerce in bilateral economic and commercial cooperation, bolster exchanges regarding e-commerce development through the border, and improve cooperation between logistics businesses. China would continue to receive high-quality products from Vietnam through activities that promote consumption by e-commerce.

To reduce trade imbalance, both countries would export more food and agricultural product. China would hasten processes to open the market for sweet potatoes, certain fruits and other agricultural and quacultural products from Vietnam. Vietnam meanwhile would hasten processes to open the market for China's milk products.

The two countries would also provide opportunities for cooperation regarding aviation, road and railway traffic to promote trade.

Vietnam and China would strive to finish negotiations for a new agreement on fishery cooperation at the Gulf of Tonkin, as well as the signing of agreements on search and rescue operations.

The two would also bolster cooperation regarding the sharing of meteorological data to prevent droughts and floods, as well as the usage and protection of water resources within the Mekong-Lancang cooperation mechanism.

Regarding medical cooperation, the two countries would continue negotiations to sign a Vietnam-China agreement on medical cooperation.

Vietnam and China would continue to utilize cooperation mechanisms regarding the management of border gates to bolster security and ensure disease prevention.

Regarding issues on the South China Sea, both sides agree to exchange opinions sincerely and highly value the importance of conflict control and the maintenance of peace and stability.

Vietnam reaffirms its commitment for the "One China" policy, supports peace at the Taiwan Strait and non-interference in countries' internal affairs.

Amid complex global situations, both countries believe that they need to follow the path of socialism. During the official visit, both countries have also signed several agreements and memorandums.

Trong left Beijing on Tuesday, ending his three-day official visit to China.

Vietnam is China's largest commercial partner in ASEAN and sixth largest in the world.

Vietnam-China bilateral trade reached $165.8 billion in 2021, up 24.6% from 2020, according to the General Department of Vietnam Customs.