2020: The highlight of friendship, cooperation and development in Vietnam – China relations

TIN LIÊN QUAN
	Banquet held to mark 70th anniversary of Vietnam-China diplomatic ties
	Reception marks 70th anniversary of Vietnam-China diplomatic ties

What are the imprints in the bilateral relations between Vietnam and China in 2019, Mr. Ambassador?

In 2019, the harmonious and comprehensive neighborly relations between Vietnam and China in general maintain positive development momentum, making an important contribution to the development of each country as well as for peace and stability and development in the region and the world, reflected in the following 4 aspects:

Ambassador Pham Sao Mai.

Firstly, the comprehensive strategic cooperation partnership between Vietnam and China develops stably and continuously goes into depth, political trust is strengthened. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc visited China and attended the 2^nd High-level meeting of “Belt and Road” (April 2019); National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan paid an official visit to China (July 2019). The visits and meetings between the leaders of the two parties and the two countries played a very important role in promoting the relations between the two parties, the two countries for a healthy and stable development.

I am also pleased to see that in recent years, cooperation and exchange between ministries, sectors and localities continues to take place more vibrantly and substantially. The two countries currently have more than 50 exchange and cooperation mechanisms in all channels: the Party, the State, the Government, the National Assembly, the Front, the Ministries and Localities.

Secondly, economic, trade and investment cooperations maintain stable growth, becoming a bright spot in the bilateral relations. From the beginning of 2019, although the world economy faced many difficulties, the bilateral economic and trade cooperation still maintained growth. The two countries are each other’s leading important trading partners. For 4 consecutive years, Vietnam has been the largest trading partner of China in ASEAN and the 8^th largest one in the world. Meanwhile, China has been the largest trading partner of Vietnam for 16 consecutive years, since 2004.

Thirdly, people-to-people exchange has really become one of the important pillars of the bilateral relations. China is Vietnam’s largest tourist market, while Vietnam is China’s 2^nd largest tourist market in ASEAN. According to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, in the first 11 months of 2019, Vietnam welcomed a total of 16 million foreign tourists, of which, for the first time, Chinese tourists reached over 5 millions. In 2019, many new non-stop flight routes have been opened. Currently, an average of over 600 flights per week between localities of the two countries. In addition, cultural cooperation, education and people-to-people exchanges have contributed significantly to enhancing the understanding and strengthening the social foundation of bilateral relations.

Fourthly, the land border continues to maintain peace, stability, cooperation and development. Exchange and cooperation between localities, especially border localities, constantly promote both in width and depth, bringing practical benefits to the peoples of the two countries.

Regarding the situation in the East Sea (also known as the South China Sea), although there were times when complicated incidents arose, the two sides maintained dialogues at many levels and channels, agreed to work together to control disagreement and adequately addressed the issue, did not complicate the situation; promoted the progress of mechanisms for negotiation on maritime issues; cooperated with ASEAN to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), looked forward to reaching the effective and essential Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC); consistently resolved disputes by peaceful means in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

On 18^th January 2020, Vietnam and China celebrated 70^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Could you tell us what is the Vietnamese Embassy in Beijing preparing to organize friendship activities in this important year?

High-ranking leaders of the two parties, the two countries have repeatedly affirmed that the friendship between Vietnam – China that was jointly built by President Ho Chi Minh and Chairman Mao Zedong and generations of senior leaders of the two countries is the valuable asset for the two parties, two countries and two peoples which is necessary to be preserved, protected and promoted. During recent meetings, the leaders of the two countries emphasized that the two sides should organize activities to commemorate the 70^th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries.

I think that the two sides need to thoroughly grasp the guidance of the leaders of the two parties and two countries, considering this as an opportunity to boost the comprehensive strategic cooperation partnership between Vietnam – China to develop stably, healthy and sustainably, contributing to strengthening political trust, bringing practical benefits to the peoples of the two countries, contributing to socio-economic development in each country as well as peace, stability and development in the region and the world.

The Vietnamese Embassy in China considers the 70^th anniversary activities of establishing Vietnam – China diplomatic relations as one of the key tasks in 2020. We have been closely coordinating with ministries and localities of the two countries to organize activities, which make 2020 will be a highlight of friendship, cooperation, stability and development in bilateral relations.

In January, the Vietnamese Embassy in collaboration with the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries organize a reception to celebrate the 70^th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations; cooperate with the provinces of Cao Bang, Ha Giang, Lang Son, Quang Ninh (Vietnam) and Guangxi (China) organize the 4^th Spring Meeting among the Secretaries of the above-mentioned provinces/region.

70th anniversary of Vietnam – China diplomatic ties marked The Vietnamese Embassy in China held a ceremony on January 13 marking the 70th anniversary of the Vietnam – China diplomatic ties.

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