PM Chính Meets Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur, The Gulf Observer: Vietnamese Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính held a bilateral meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Tuesday, on the sidelines of his official visit to Malaysia and participation in the 46th ASEAN Summit and related meetings in Kuala Lumpur.

During the talks, Prime Minister Chính extended warm greetings from General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Tô Lâm, State President Lương Cường, National Assembly Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn, and Permanent Member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat Trần Cẩm Tú to General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping and other senior Chinese leaders.

He described President Xi’s recent state visit to Vietnam as a “historic milestone” that has defined a long-term strategic direction for the relations between the two Parties and countries. Prime Minister Chính noted the significance of this being the first meeting between the two leaders since that visit, affirming his government’s readiness to maintain close coordination and regular communication with the Chinese State Council and Premier Li.

Prime Minister Chính emphasized the need for prompt and effective implementation of the high-level common understandings reached by the two General Secretaries. He proposed the strengthening of regular high-level exchanges, enhanced economic, trade, and investment collaboration — particularly efforts to promote more balanced trade — and deeper cooperation in science, technology, and innovation as new growth drivers for bilateral relations.

He also identified railway cooperation as a top priority, reiterating Vietnam’s resolve to begin construction of the Lào Cai – Hà Nội – Hải Phòng railway line this year. He sought China’s support through preferential credit mechanisms, technology transfer, and human resources development to facilitate the project.

Premier Li Qiang congratulated Vietnam on several significant national milestones — the 95th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam), and the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and national reunification.

He conveyed President Xi Jinping’s greetings to General Secretary Tô Lâm and other Vietnamese leaders, and expressed appreciation for the warm hospitality extended during Xi’s state visit. Premier Li also expressed full support for Prime Minister Chính’s priorities and reaffirmed China’s willingness to work closely with Vietnam to implement the shared vision of the two countries’ top leaders.

The Chinese Premier underscored the importance of increasing high-level strategic exchanges, strengthening political trust, and expanding practical cooperation in key areas such as trade, quality investment, and railway connectivity.

Both leaders also reached a shared understanding on enhancing coordination with ASEAN member states to promote regional peace and stability. They jointly advocated for the early conclusion of an effective and substantive Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea (South China Sea) that is consistent with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The meeting also provided an opportunity for both sides to exchange views on global issues of mutual concern, reaffirming their commitment to constructive engagement and multilateral cooperation.