Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Vương Đình Huệ and Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng agreed on the need to enhance political trust between the two countries during talks in Nanning on Tuesday.— VNA/VNS Photo Lương Anh Tuấn

NANNING — Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Vương Đình Huệ and Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng agreed on the need to enhance political trust between the two countries during talks in Nanning on Tuesday.

The talks were held at Huệ’s attendance at the 15th China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (CABIS) and the 15th China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO).

"China remains the biggest trade and tourism partner of Việt Nam, and Việt Nam also ranks first and eighth among ASEAN and global trade partners of China," Huệ said.

Co-operation in agriculture, science-technology, culture, sports, tourism, education and health care has enjoyed good progress, people-to-people exchange has continued to be reinforced.

He also asked China to continue taking measures to balance Việt Nam’s deficit in bilateral trade; create favourable conditions for Vietnamese goods, especially agricultural products, to enter the Chinese market; coordinate to thoroughly settle hindrances to some Chinese-invested projects; and continue to facilitate the movement of people, goods and vehicles in border areas.

Regarding sea-related issues, the Deputy PM called on both sides to seriously comply with the common perceptions reached by the two countries’ leaders, especially the agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of sea-related issues, control sea-related disagreements well, persist in resolving disputes by peaceful means in line with international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Vice Premier Han stressed the Chinese Party and Government treasured the ties with Việt Nam and would maintain high-ranking visits and meetings, increase political trust, and bolster result-oriented co-operation, particularly in economy, trade and investment. 

Huệ on the same day met the Secretary of the Communist Party of China Committee of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Lu Xinshe.

Huệ said Guangxi has continually taken the lead in economic and trade connections while Việt Nam has been the biggest trade partner of Guangxi for 14 straight years. Bilateral trade hit US$24 billion last year, accounting for 86 per cent of ASEAN’s total trade with this region.

The Deputy PM asked Guangxi to create more favourable conditions for strong commodities like milk and dairy products, fruits, seafood, pigs and pork to be imported to China. He also sought the region’s help for Vietnamese goods to be transported by railway through Guangxi and other Chinese localities to enter Asian and European nations.

The Vietnamese official also urged the Chinese side to provide the best possible conditions for customs clearance of goods in border areas and co-operate closely with Việt Nam to fight cross-border crimes, including smuggling, child trafficking, and illegal exit and entrance. — VNS