The 13th meeting of the Vietnam-China Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation on Sept 10, 2021 (Photo: VNA)

Thanks to mutual efforts, the friendly relationship and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and China have been maintained and achieved new results. High-level exchanges have been held regularly in various forms, contributing to enhancing political trust between the two Parties and countries.

Vietnam-China relations progress

After the 13^th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue held phone talks and online meetings with Party General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang, and Chairman of the National People’s Congress Li Zhanshu on orientations to promote relations between the two Parties and countries. Cooperation and exchanges on Party affairs, foreign affairs, national defense, public security, and border localities have been closely maintained.

China continues to be Vietnam’s biggest trade partner and 2^nd biggest importer. Vietnam remains China’s biggest trade partner in ASEAN and 6^th biggest partner in the world.

Statistics from the Vietnam Customs Department show that bilateral trade revenue reached 165.8 billion USD last year and 64 billion USD in the first 5 months of this year, an increase of 13.3% for the period.

In June 2022, China ranked 6^th of 139 countries and territories invested in Vietnam, with a total registered capital of 22.31 billion USD. Problems in some cooperation projects have been removed. The Cat Linh-Ha Dong Urban Railway Project was officially put into operation. Cooperation in COVID-19 prevention and control has achieved many substantive results. China was one of the biggest COVID-19 vaccine providers to Vietnam.

The land border between Vietnam and China has been maintained peacefully. The two sides have worked closely to resolve arising issues based on 3 legal documents on land borders. The situation at sea has seen some new complications but has basically been stable. The two sides have maintained dialogues and negotiations to manage disagreements based on international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Vietnam and China have coordinated at multilateral forums to advocate peace, stability, and cooperation in the region and the world, particularly at ASEAN and UN forums.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a lot of problems for Vietnam-China relations. Two-way trade turnover is showing signs of slowing down, and customs clearance of goods at border gates sometimes is not smooth. Direct flights have not fully resumed. Vietnamese students have not been able to return to China to study. The two countries have frankly discussed these issues via several channels.

Deepening bilateral relations

With bilateral relations progressing well, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh’s visit to China and his co-chairing the 14^th meeting of the Vietnam-China Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation is of great importance.

First, it shows the determination of both sides to maintain exchanges between the two Parties and countries, to strengthen political trust. Second, it strengthens the shared perceptions of the two countries’ senior leaders, deepening bilateral friendship and mutual benefit. Third, it will comprehensively review bilateral cooperation since the last meeting of the Committee in September, 2021, and discuss major orientations and specific measures to boost bilateral cooperation in all sectors.

Based on advantages, potentials, needs, foundations of bilateral relations, and the determination of the two Parties, countries, and peoples, the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership will rise to new heights.