VNA) – Viet Nam and China have a good mechanism for wide and deep discussions about issues of common concern to seek ways to intensify their comprehensive cooperation.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao was speaking of the Viet Nam-China Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation at his reception of Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem in Beijing on January 22, who will co-chair the second meeting of the Steering Committee in Beijing from January 22-26.
Deputy PM Khiem, who is Chairman of the Vietnamese Steering Committee for Viet Nam-China Bilateral Cooperation, arrived in Beijing the same day.
Premier Wen said the two sides should maintain the tradition of exchanging visits by their leaders and officials of ministries, agencies and localities.
He appreciated the results the two sides have obtained in dealing with the border issues, stressing the need to complete the land border demarcation and landmark plantation within 2008.
For other existing issues, the two countries should continue discussions based on the spirit of mutual respect in line with the slogan of “Friendly Neighbourliness, Comprehensive Cooperation, Long-term Stability and Looking toward the Future” and the motto of “Good Neighbours, Good Friends, Good Comrades and Good Partners”, he said.
The Chinese leader also expressed his satisfaction over the rapid and overall development of the Viet Nam-China relations, particularly the two-way trade turnover reaching 15 billion USD in 2007.
He affirmed that China is willing to import more Vietnamese goods, and encourage its businesses to pour more investment in Viet Nam to help the neighbouring country to reduce its trade deficit.
He said the two countries should soon ink agreements on quarantine of plants and animals in order to facilitate trade.
Deputy PM Khiem thanked Premier Wen for his reception and expressed his belief that the second meeting of the Viet Nam-China Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation, under the close instruction from the two countries’ high-ranking leaders, will achieve good results and to help bring the bilateral relationship to a new height for further sustainable and effective development.
He also said the meeting would help to accelerate the settlement of existing issues, particularly those relating to the border, thus help fortify the rapport and mutual understanding between the two countries, implement their high-ranking leaders’ agreements to accomplish the land border demarcation and landmark plantation within 2008, to maintain peace, stability and to boost cooperation in the East Sea area.
Expressing his delight at the Chinese people’s great achievements over the past year, Deputy PM Khiem said he hoped that the Chinese people under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) would fulfill the targets set by the 17th CPC Congress to build a prosperous country and make the whole Chinese people happy.
He also affirmed that the Party and State of Viet Nam always support the policy of “one China” and oppose all activities targeting the goal of “an independent Taiwan ”.
The Deputy PM conveyed PM Nguyen Tan Dung’s invitation to Premier Wen for a Viet Nam visit in 2008. Premier Wen accepted the invitation with pleasure.