HCM CITY — The 11th meeting of the Steering Committee for Việt Nam – China Bilateral Co-operation convened in HCM City on Sunday under the chair of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Phạm Bình Minh and State Councillor and Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi.

The sides agreed that the two countries’ comprehensive strategic co-operative partnership had grown positively since the last meeting in April 2017, with their high-ranking Party and State leaders exchanging frequent meetings and contacts, and co-operation between their public ministries, sectors and localities as well as people-to-people exchanges across fields.

They also pointed to shortcomings in bilateral ties, including the trade deficit with China, slow progress of Chinese projects in Việt Nam and slow disbursement of Chinese non-refundable aid.

The sides looked at defining working priorities in implementing their leaders’ common perceptions for healthy and sustainable growth of relations.

They said they would work together to prepare for upcoming visits and meetings of Vietnamese and Chinese leaders and promoting the role of the foreign ministries in co-ordinating bilateral engagements. Their joint work would also aim at the implementation of co-operation between their Parties as well as other exchange and collaboration mechanisms in defence, security and law enforcement.

They also supported measures to boost sustainable, balanced and healthy co-operation in economy, trade and investment. They said they backed partnerships between Vietnamese and Chinese firms in agro-forestry-fishery, particularly the production of rice, cassava, dairy products and fruit.

They also agreed to facilitate the operation of Việt Nam’s trade promotion offices in China, encourage Chinese enterprises to invest in Việt Nam’s high-tech and sustainable sectors, and direct firms from both sides to clear hurdles on joint projects.

They concurred on boosting collaboration in science-technology, the environment, transport, agriculture and health, while expanding involvement in culture, education, tourism, press and people-to-people exchanges.

Deputy FM Minh stated that bilateral co-operation should be enhanced in line with the common perceptions of the two countries’ leaders. He suggested the sides effectively implement existing co-operation mechanisms between their ministries, sectors and localities.

Frequent exchanges between the two general secretaries of the steering committee, and the promotion of ambassadors’ connectivity, were also necessary, Minh added.

The sides frankly discussed sea-related issues, agreeing to follow their leaders’ common perceptions and the Việt Nam – China agreement on the basic principles guiding the settlement of issues at sea.

They said they would step up negotiations on sea-related issues, and fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) to ensure a favourable environment for the negotiation process of the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC). They also agreed to control disagreements at sea without any actions that further complicate the situation, and sustain peace and stability in the East Sea.

Concluding the meeting, the two chairs witnessed the signing of its minutes.

On September 14, Deputy Foreign Minister Lê Hoài Trung and Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kong Xuanyou held a meeting between the general secretaries of the Steering Committee for Việt Nam – China Bilateral Co-operation. — VNS