Vietnamese President Nguyễn Xuân Phúc talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping over the phone on Monday. VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất

HÀ NỘI — Vietnamese President Nguyễn Xuân Phúc on Monday held phone talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, during which they agreed on the importance and praised the achievements of the Việt Nam-China relationship.

President Phúc congratulated the Communist Party of China on its 100th anniversary.

Since the beginning of last year, there have been many difficulties due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, but China has achieved three great achievements in controlling the pandemic, restoring growth and escaping poverty, fulfilling the 100-year goal of comprehensively building a well-off society, he said.

Phúc expressed his confidence that China will obtain greater achievements when aiming for the second 100-year goal.

President Phúc said that despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Việt Nam has achieved the "dual goal" of controlling the pandemic while restoring and developing the economy. The country successfully held the election of deputies to the 15th National Assembly and People's Councils at all levels for the 2021-2026 tenure.

This showed the Vietnamese people's belief in the socialist regime under the leadership of the Communist Party of Việt Nam, headed by General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng, he said.

“Currently Việt Nam is facing many difficulties and challenges, but the Vietnamese people will continue to unite and strongly promote internal resources,” the President said, adding that Việt Nam hoped to receive co-operation from countries around the world, including China.

Phúc outlined a number of key measures to promote relations including enhancing trust and promoting comprehensive and equal co-operation based on mutual benefits.

He also called for strengthening ties between the two countries in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, improving the quality and efficiency of economic - trade and investment co-operation and boosting ties between localities and people-to-people exchanges.

The two countries should make efforts to maintain a peaceful and stable environment, jointly handle issues at sea in accordance with international law, namely the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and continue to strengthen co-ordination at multilateral forums.

He also invited the Chinese President to visit Việt Nam.

President Xi said the Chinese Party, State and people attach great importance to relations with Việt Nam and are willing to make efforts with the Party, State and people of Việt Nam to boost ties between the two countries.

President Xi emphasised the importance of Việt Nam’s interest in the bilateral co-operation project, suggesting the ministries, agencies and localities of the two countries to actively exchange and facilitate the implementation.

The two countries should strengthen ties on maritime issues while affirming that China supported Việt Nam in multilateral co-operation mechanisms and assist the country in COVID-19 prevention and fighting.

He also invited General Secretary Trọng and President Phúc to visit China. — VNS