Hanoi and Beijing have consented to effectively manage their differences at sea, a joint statement issued following Chinese Party chief Xi Jinping’s state visit to Vietnam says.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and State President Xi Jinping joined talks with Vietnamese State President Tran Dai Quang at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi on Monday, the last day of his official two-day state visit.

Following the trip, the joint statement was released, confirming the two nations’ determination to bolster their comprehensive, strategic cooperative partnership for the practical interests of both peoples and for the peace, stability, and prosperity of the region.

Leaders of both countries agreed that Vietnam and China are important neighbors and cooperative partners.

As both are in important phases of developmental reform, the growth of each country represents opportunity for the other.

According to the statement, Vietnam welcomes and supports the implementation of the “One Belt, One Road” initiative to boost ‘win-win’ cooperation and economic links between the countries.

Both sides are committed to the implementation of a five-year development plan on economic and trade cooperation during the 2017-2021 period, together with the signing and deployment of key cooperative projects.

China said that it is willing to expand imports from Vietnam, giving priority to carrying out the assessment of market entry requirements on milk and dairy products, the expedition of legal procedures and the granting of market access for several kinds of Vietnamese fruits. It also said it would intensify cooperation in agriculture, fisheries and forestry generally, including the import of rice and cassava.

Managing maritime disputes

Both countries have agreed to promote a sincere and frank exchange of views on maritime issues and to continue observing common understandings reached by leaders of both Parties and states, as well as the ‘Vietnam-China agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of maritime issues.’

Hanoi and Beijing will employ a government-level negotiation mechanism for territorial and border issues between the two countries, and seek a fundamental and long-term solution acceptable to both sides.

The two leaders consented to the implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Vietnam Sea (DOC) and will work toward the early formation of a Code of Conduct (COC) inside the maritime area.

They also agreed to effectively manage disputes at sea and avoid actions that would further complicate the current situation for the maintenance of peace and stability in the East Vietnam Sea region.

General Secretary Xi’s visit to Vietnam has been hailed as a success, marking an important milestone in bilateral ties, and has enhanced the traditional friendship between the two countries, deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations.

The Chinese leader concluded his business trip on Monday evening, before leaving Hanoi for the Laotian capital of Vientiane.

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