China, Vietnam agree to jointly maintain peace, stability at sea

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Vietnamese counterpart Bui Thanh Son agreed on Friday that their countries would jointly maintain peace and stability at sea.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said during a meeting with Bui Thanh Son in Hanoi that China and Vietnam should actively promote mutually beneficial cooperation at sea, prevent the involvement of external forces, accelerate consultations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, and make the South China Sea a sea of peace and cooperation.

The Chinese foreign minister said that like-mindedness and a shared future are the salient features of China-Vietnam relations. The two parties and the two countries have seen close high-level exchanges and frequent contacts like visiting relatives, which fully demonstrates the high level and special nature of China-Vietnam relations, he noted.

China and Vietnam have the same social system and shared ideals and beliefs, Wang said, adding that defining a new positioning and setting new goals for the relationship will not only open up new prospects for the development of the ties, but also make new contributions to the cause of peace and progress of mankind.

Wang emphasized that the foreign affairs departments of the two countries should encourage, support and coordinate various departments and sub-national governments to implement the strategic consensus reached by leaders of the two parties, strengthen inter-party exchanges and exchanges of experience in governance, and usher in a new surge in practical cooperation in various fields.

In the international and multilateral arena, he said, China and Vietnam should closely coordinate and support each other to jointly uphold international equity and justice.

Bui Thanh Son said that Vietnam hopes to promote the healthy, stable and lasting development of relations between the two parties and two countries, and elevate ties to new heights.

He said the foreign affairs departments of the two countries may work closely together, play the role well in coordinating and promoting cooperation in various fields, strengthen high-level exchanges and exchanges at all levels, and deepen practical cooperation in agricultural products, connectivity, high science and technology, tourism, and other fields.

The Vietnamese side is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with the Chinese side in international and regional affairs, and to maintain peace and stability at sea in accordance with the high-level consensus between the two countries, said the Vietnamese foreign minister.

(With input from Xinhua)