Visiting Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh and his Chinese hosts have agreed to use negotiations to seek basic and long-term solutions acceptable to both for keeping marine differences under control. The agreement was reached during the eighth meeting of the Vietnam-China Steering Committee on Bilateral Cooperation which took place in Beijing from June 17 to 19, according to the Vietnam News Agency. The two sides also emphasized the importance of fully implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Vietnam Sea (DOC); working toward the formation of a Code of Conduct (COC) for the sea; and avoiding any actions that could complicate disputes in order to maintain Hanoi and Beijing’s partnership as well as peace and stability in the waters.
During the meeting, Deputy PM Minh, who is also the foreign minister, and Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi discussed measures to realize agreements signed during Vietnam’s Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s visit to China in April 2015 and effectively execute an action plan on the Vietnam-China strategic relations. They also consented take specific measures to strengthen their economic, trade and investment relationship; expand cooperation in agriculture, health, transport, and science and technology; and cement ties between their ministries, sectors and localities, particularly in diplomacy, defense, security and law enforcement. The two sides exchanged points of views on maritime issues, stressing the need to strictly implement the agreement on basic principles guiding the solution of such problems.
During another meeting with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Thursday, Deputy PM Minh affirmed that Vietnam always prefers to promote its strategic partnership with China.
The Vietnamese official asked his host to direct Chinese sectors and localities to implement the outcomes of the meeting, intensify the import of Vietnamese agro-fishery and forestry products, and address disputes in the East Vietnam Sea based on international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Meanwhile, Premier Li said that the Chinese Party, Government and people are always willing to work with Vietnam to resolve conflicts and foster bilateral cooperation.
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