VIENTIANE — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Phạm Bình Minh held talks with Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the occasion of the fourth Mekong-Lancang Co-operation Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Luang Prabang, Laos on Sunday.

The Vietnamese official spoke highly of the active developments in their bilateral relations, and suggested the two sides work to effectively implement high-level agreements. He asked the Chinese side to continue applying measures to improve Việt Nam’s trade deficit and take steps to promote Vietnamese staples such as fruit, aquatic products, pork and dairy products in China.

With regards to maritime disputes, Deputy PM Minh highly valued the positive outcomes of negotiations and co-operation mechanisms in less sensitive fields at sea between the two countries, as well as the initial progress in recent negotiations on the Code of Conduct on the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea) between ASEAN and China.

The two sides should continue to seriously implement the common perceptions of high-ranking leaders of the two Parties and States, he said, adding they should also settle disputes by peaceful measures on the basis of international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the legitimate interests of each other to resolve differences and maintain peace and stability at sea.

For his part, the Chinese official affirmed that his Party and Government attached great importance to the unceasing consolidation and development of the comprehensive strategic co-operative partnership between the two countries. China was ready to strengthen strategic exchanges, consolidate political trust, deepen mutually beneficial co-operation, settle differences and accelerate healthy and stable bilateral relations, he affirmed.

Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi also said efforts would be made with the Vietnamese side to prepare for visits by leaders of the two countries, as well as the 12th session of the steering committee on Việt Nam-China bilateral co-operation in China next year. He stressed that China advocated opening the door for imports from other countries, with priority given to its neighbours, including Việt Nam.

The two sides also attached importance to the Mekong-Lancang co-operation and agreed to continue their contributions to the mechanism, pushing co-operation for the mutual, inclusive and benefits of all participating countries. — VNS