Chinese and Vietnamese Legislative Leaders Strengthen Bilateral Cooperation

Beijing, The Gulf Observer: Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC) of China, Zhao Leji, hosted a welcoming ceremony and engaged in talks with Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) of Vietnam, Vương Đình Huệ, and a high-level Vietnamese delegation currently visiting China.

During the discussions, both sides provided comprehensive updates on the respective situations of their parties, countries, and legislative activities. They deliberated on measures to translate the achievements and mutual understandings from Vietnamese Party leader Nguyễn Phú Trọng’s 2022 visit to China and Chinese Party General Secretary, President Xi Jinping’s 2023 visit to Vietnam into tangible actions.

Emphasizing the significance of legislative cooperation, they expressed satisfaction with the positive advancements in bilateral relations, particularly in legislative exchanges. Chairman Huệ reiterated Vietnam’s commitment to nurturing stable, sustainable, and long-term relations with China, highlighting it as a strategic priority aligned with Vietnam’s foreign policy principles.

In response, Chairman Zhao underscored China’s prioritization of Vietnam in its neighborly diplomacy and affirmed China’s support for Vietnam’s industrialization, modernization, and international role enhancement.

Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the joint statement on deepening the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and building a shared future for Vietnam and China, emphasizing sustained exchanges across all levels and channels.

Chairman Huệ proposed specific measures to enhance economic cooperation, including establishing Vietnamese trade promotion offices in key Chinese cities, expanding imports of Vietnamese goods, and accelerating infrastructure projects such as smart border gates and railway sections.

Chairman Zhao welcomed these proposals, emphasizing China’s readiness to deepen substantive cooperation, expand trade and investment ties, and strengthen strategic connectivity, particularly within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.

The leaders discussed fostering cooperation in key areas such as supply chains, digital economy, green economy, new energy, minerals, and 5G technology. They also welcomed the opening of new Vietnamese representative offices and trade promotion offices in various Chinese localities.

In terms of legislative cooperation, Chairman Huệ proposed strengthening delegation exchanges, sharing legislative experiences, and enhancing oversight roles to expedite the implementation of bilateral agreements.

Chairman Zhao praised the signing of cooperation documents between the legislative bodies, highlighting the importance of utilizing this mechanism to enhance exchanges and cooperation between the NA and NPC.

Both sides engaged in constructive discussions on maritime issues, reiterating their commitment to managing disputes appropriately and maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea. Chairman Huệ urged substantive negotiations, effective implementation of agreements on search and rescue cooperation, and expediting negotiations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) in line with international law.

The discussions concluded with mutual agreement to maintain coordination and cooperation at regional and international forums, reflecting the commitment to further strengthening the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between China and Vietnam.