Deputy PM Minh, who is also the Foreign Minister, spoke highly of China’s successful organisation of the events, which would help boost the relations between ASEAN and China.

He said Viet Nam treasured its traditional friendship with China and was willing to increase comprehensive bilateral relations in a substantive manner.

He asked both sides to continue the exchange of high-ranking delegations; effectively carry out the action plan on the implementation of the Viet Nam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and cooperation programmes between respective sectors and localities; and promptly organise the 7th meeting of the steering committee for bilateral cooperation in 2014.

Regarding the East Sea situation, Deputy PM Minh urged both countries to maintain control over the maritime situation; avoid activities that complicate the circumstances further; step up negotiation efforts; strictly implement the basic principles guiding the settlement of sea-related issues between Viet Nam and China; respect international law; and work together to maintain regional and international peace and stability.

For his part, Deputy PM Zhang Gaoli said Minh’s participation in the events demonstrated that Viet Nam valued cooperation between ASEAN and China. He said he held Vietnam’s role in promoting relations between his country and the bloc in high regard.

He affirmed that China consistently strived for friendly neighbourliness and mutually beneficial cooperation with Viet Nam.

The country continued to be willing to solve matters between the two countries effectively and boost their ties in a healthy, stable and sustainable manner, Zhang stressed, whilst responding warmly to Viet Nam’s proposals to reinforce the two countries’ affiliation, especially with regard to economics, trade, and people-to-people exchanges.

During an earlier meeting with the Secretary of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region’s Party Committee Peng Qinghua, Deputy PM Minh said he considered the region an important gateway for cooperation between ASEAN countries and China, adding that he hoped Viet Nam and Guangxi would work closely to act as an economic-trade bridge linking ASEAN and China.

He also called on Guangxi to increase cooperation with Vietnamese sectors and localities in the fields of infrastructure development, trade, investment, tourism, education and training, and agriculture.