(VOVworld) - The Vietnamese National Assembly always wishes to promote cooperation with the National People’s Congress of China towards increasing mutual understanding and trust between the two countries. National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan made the remarks on Tuesday while welcoming visiting Zhang Dejiang, Permanent Politburo member and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China.

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (R) and Zhang Dejiang, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China (Source: VOV)

Zhang Dejiang said his visit is an opportunity for both sides to discuss strengthening and developing relations between the two Parties and States as well as increasing cooperation between the two legislative bodies. He said he will work with the Vietnamese NA to actively implement parliamentary cooperation agreements and increase exchanges of high-ranking delegations, agencies and friendship parliamentarians’ groups.

Mr. Zhang Dejiang said the two countries should prioritize stability at sea, consider cooperation in exploitation as the common target, keep sea disputes under control and prevent them from expanding and becoming more complicated. He proposed that the two countries continue promoting cooperation at sea, including joint exploration and exploitation of resources.

Chairwoman Ngan said Vietnam supports friendly and constructive exchanges, straightforward discussions to peacefully settle disputes in line with international law, while controlling disagreements, stabilizing the situation at sea, and maintaining a peaceful environment. She said both nations should resolutely abide by “common perceptions” of high-ranking leaders, particularly the “Agreement of basic principles guiding the settlement of issues at sea,” respecting the legitimate interests of each other in line with the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. She said Vietnam wishes to continue to work with China and ASEAN to implement the Declaration on Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) in a full and effective manner and speed up the building of a Code of Conduct (COC).

The two leaders agreed that with joint efforts, relations between the two Parties, States and legislative bodies will develop and bear fruit.