National Assembly Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn (right) and Chinese Ambassador Xiong Bo. — VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất

HÀ NỘI — Developing the relations with China remains Việt Nam’s consistent policy and strategic choice, and a top priority in its foreign policy of self-reliance, multilateralisation, and diversification, said National Assembly Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn on Monday.

The NA leader told Chinese Ambassador Xiong Bo in Hà Nội as the latter came to say goodbye at the end of his tenure in the Southeast Asian nation.

Mẫn used the occasion to thank Chinese comrades for their special sentiments to General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Nguyễn Phú Trọng, who passed away last month.

The top legislator emphasised the close neighbourliness and time-honoured friendship between the two countries, as well as similarities in the political system and the path towards socialism under the leadership of the communist party.

Việt Nam always keeps in mind the great, whole-hearted support from the Chinese Party, State and people to its past struggle for national independence and reunification, and its present cause of national construction and defence, the leader continued.

Mẫn lauded significant contributions by the ambassador and the staff of the Chinese Embassy in Việt Nam over the past time, saying Xiong has played an active part in advancing the relations between the two Parties and countries to a new height, and promoting the bilateral cooperation across spheres, with two-way trade nearing US$95 billion in the first half of this year.

The chief legislator also hailed the diplomat’s role in enhancing collaboration between the Vietnamese NA and the National People's Congress of China, which is now growing intensively.

The two sides have maintained their exchanges through many flexible forms, as well as their consultation and close coordination at regional and inter-parliamentary forums, especially the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), he added.  

Mẫn expressed his hope that Xiong, in any position, will keep his good sentiments towards Vietnam, and contribute more to the stable, sustainable development of the Việt Nam-China relations.

For his part, the ambassador extended his deepest sympathy over the passing of Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng, saying it is the huge loss to the Vietnamese Party, State and people, as well as the relations between the two Parties and countries.

Xiong also congratulated President Tô Lâm on his election as the General Secretary of the CPV Central Committee.

He said cooperation between the two Parties and countries in various areas, from economy and trade to people-to-people exchange, has reaped marked achievements, with the Vietnamese legislature playing a crucial role.

The diplomat expressed his belief that the Vietnamese NA will continue affirming its role in enhancing the relationship and friendship between the two countries in the time ahead. — VNS