Viet Nam and China reached a broad common understanding on the promotion of their comprehensive strategic partnership during the sixth session of the Steering Committee for Viet Nam-China Bilateral Co-operation in Beijing on Saturday.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan (left) meets Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in Beijing.

The event was co-chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan, Chairman of the Vietnamese subcommittee, and Chinese State Councillor Yang Jiechi, Head of the Chinese subcommittee.

Both sides agreed that strengthening strategic trust and tightening comprehensive co-operation is in the long-term interests of the two peoples.

They agreed to maintain high-level exchanges; utilise the role of the Steering Committee for Viet Nam-China Bilateral Co-operation more effectively; and urgently discuss and sign an action programme for the implementation of the two countries' comprehensive strategic co-operation partnership.

They underlined the need to share their experience in Party building and national management, especially at the upcoming ninth theoretical conference. They also pledged to increase co-operation between their respective ministries and agencies.

The two sides agreed to foster practical co-operation in such areas as economics, trade, military, law enforcement, security, science, education, culture and health care.

They committed to actively speeding up transport projects connecting the two countries, including the Pingxiang-Lang Son-Ha Noi expressway.

They signed a plan to implement the 2013-15 Viet Nam-China cultural agreement and a memorandum of understanding on the state of projects that form the 2012-16 economic-trade co-operation plan.

The two sides confirmed the desire of Vietnamese and Chinese leaders to reach an agreement on the basic principles guiding the settlement of sea-related issues between the two countries, through negotiation and friendly consultation in order to settle the disputes peacefully.

They agreed to increase the negotiations of the working group in the area off the Bac Bo (Tonkin) Gulf and promote talks on the demarcation of the waters there. The mutual development of these waters and the timely implementation of joint surveys will also be discussed.

They agreed to consult with the Viet Nam-China experts group on reaching an agreement and co-operating in less sensitive sectors at sea before starting three projects in these areas as previously agreed.

Both sides vowed to comprehensively and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of the Parties in the East Sea (DOC) in order to together maintain peace and stability in the sea.

They agreed to take this year – which marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the ASEAN-China strategic partnership - as an opportunity to comprehensively realise the common perception reached by ASEAN and Chinese leaders, continuously expand and deepen ASEAN-China co-operation in economics, trade, transport and oceanography, thus contributing more to peace, stability and prosperity in the region.

Source: VNS