Vietnam, China should control East Sea disputes: PM

Receiving Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi in Hanoi, Chinh also affirmed that Vietnam treasures its relations with China and considers this as a leading priority in its foreign policy.

On the East Sea issue, the PM stressed that both sides should instruct their law enforcement forces at sea to adhere to the "high-level common perceptions" and the Vietnam - China agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of sea-related issues.

Both sides should strive to properly settle and control disputes, maintain a peaceful and stable environment at sea, he said.

He also said that both sides need to work with ASEAN countries to seriously implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), step up the negotiation on a substantive and effective Code of Conduct in the waters (COC), comply with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and ensure security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight.

PM Pham Minh Chinh (R) receives China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Hanoi, September 11, 2021. Photo courtesy of the Foreign Affairs Ministry

With regard to cooperation in the Covid-19 fight, Chinh appreciated both sides' close coordination and mutual support; and thanked China for assisting Vietnam with vaccine via different forms, especially the provision of another three million vaccine doses announced during the trip by Wang.

Earlier Wang met with Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son Saturday morning to discuss the two countries’ relations and ways to promote their comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

Son expressed his hope that both countries will keep strengthening ties in the Covid-19 fight, particularly in terms of vaccines. He also requested China to initiate favorable customs clearance procedures for Vietnamese goods, especially farm produce, at border gates, and permit more fruits from Vietnam to be exported via official channels to China, thus helping balance bilateral trade and sustain supply and production chains.

Son also called for coordination to speed up joint projects likes the Cat Linh - Ha Dong urban railway project in Hanoi and others on social welfare funded by China.

The two sides had frank exchanges on border and territorial issues. They suggested measures for land border management on the basis of reached agreements and legal documents, especially keeping close coordination among the mechanisms of the Land Border Joint Committee and localities.

Minister Son emphasized the need to respect the rights and legitimate interests of coastal countries in conformity with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrived Friday on a three-day visit to Vietnam, aiming to strengthen cooperative ties and comprehensive strategic partnership.