(VOVworld) - The Party, State and people of Vietnam always attach importance to its friendship with China, considering this a persistent guideline, a strategic choice and a top priority in the country’s foreign policy.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc was speaking at a meeting in Hanoi on Wednesday with Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China Zhang Dejiang. The Prime Minister said he hoped that the two legislative bodies will deepen their comprehensive cooperation in a pragmatic manner. He suggested the two countries maintain high-level meetings, increase mutual political trust and regularly conduct strategic exchanges. Both countries should seek satisfactory solutions to outstanding economic-trade issues and take drastic and effective measures to gradually balance the bilateral trade. He called on the two countries to partner with each other to effectively implement the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation agreement signed recently. He urged the two countries to properly manage their disputes and maintain peace and stability in the East Sea, explaining that the maintenance of peace and stability matches their strategic and long-term interests.