In a significant stride towards strengthening regional ties, China and Vietnam have pledged to accelerate maritime cooperation during a recent meeting between Foreign Ministers Wang Yi and Bui Thanh Son. The discussions, held in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, highlighted the mutual commitment to building a China-Vietnam community with a shared future.
Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, emphasized the importance of enhancing cooperation across various sectors. He outlined plans to expand collaboration in trade and investment, the digital economy, green development, new energy, and key mineral resources. This comprehensive approach aims to create synergistic development strategies that benefit both nations.
Strengthening high-level strategic communication was another focal point of the meeting. Both sides agreed to foster closer people-to-people exchanges to solidify public opinion foundations, ensuring that the friendship between China and Vietnam resonates deeply among their populations.
Wang also called for joint efforts to safeguard international justice and practice genuine multilateralism. He stressed the necessity of supporting each other on issues of vital interest and managing differences through win-win cooperation. A key area of focus is the maritime domain, where both countries aim to expedite cooperation and consultations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea to maintain peace and stability.
Echoing Wang's sentiments, Bui Thanh Son affirmed Vietnam’s prioritization of China in its foreign policy. He expressed Vietnam’s willingness to maintain close coordination with China to plan high-level exchanges, enhance inter-party interactions, promote connectivity, and deepen local cooperation. Bui reiterated Vietnam’s adherence to the one-China policy and its opposition to external interference disguised as human rights and democracy advocacy.
The reaffirmed partnership between China and Vietnam marks a pivotal moment in regional diplomacy, with both nations committed to fostering a stable and prosperous Southeast Asian landscape through enhanced maritime cooperation and comprehensive bilateral collaboration.
Reference(s):
Wang Yi: China, Vietnam should accelerate maritime cooperation
cgtn.com
