Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam treasures and wants todevelop comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership with China, stated PrimeMinister Nguyen Xuan Phuc when receiving Chinese Vice Premier of the StateCouncil Hu Chunhua in Hanoi on September 11.

The Chinese official is leading a delegation to the ongoingWorld Economic Forum on ASEAN (WEF ASEAN) 2018, which started the same day.

At the reception, PM Phuc said the attendance reflectsChina’s support to Vietnam’s hosting of the event and congratulated China onits successful organisation of the first session of its 13th NationalPeople's Congress and People's Political Consultative Conference.

Phuc also spoke highly of the outcomes of the soundcollaboration of the two countries last year, particularly in economy, trade,and investment.

He suggested the sides continue to exchange and takemeasures in boosting balanced and sustainable development of bilateral trade,with Vietnam reducing its trade deficit with China.   

The Government leader asked China to facilitate Vietnamesegoods, particularly farm produce, invest in high-tech projects in Vietnam, andcarry out joint projects in line with bilateral agreements with progress andquality ensured.

The sides need to accelerate cooperation in transport,agriculture, environment, science-technology, finance, and currency, Phuc said,adding that the effective usage of Chinese aid packages for Vietnam is alsonecessary.

Measures to cut production costs should be studied in a bidto increase rail transport of goods from Vietnam to Eurasian countries viaChina, he noted.

The PM also requested China create favourable conditions forVietnamese airlines to operate and launch new air routes.

Regarding issues on the sea, Phuc stressed the sides need tocontinue their serious implementation of their leaders’ common perception, andof the Vietnam – China agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement ofsea-related issues.

He highlighted bilateral respect of each country’s legitimateand legal interests in line with international law and the 1982 United NationsConvention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS).

The Government leader recommended the sides push for theimprovement of mechanisms of maritime negotiations, effective and fullimplementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea(DOC), and collaboration with the ASEAN member states to build the code ofconduct in the East Sea (COC).

For his part, Hu Chunhua affirmed the Chinese Party,Government and people are ready to work with Vietnam in enhancing theirneighbourly friendship and comprehensive cooperation. He expected the sides toseize opportunities for win – win engagements across different spheres.

The Vice Premier underscored China’s goodwill in increasingits imports of Vietnamese products, particularly farm produce, on demand tobalance bilateral trade, and in the management and tackling of disputes tosustain peace and stability in the East Sea.

Healthy and stable development of Vietnam – Chinacomprehensive strategic cooperative partnership is also needed, he stated.

The Chinese official wished Vietnam a successful hosting ofthe WEF ASEAN 2018.-VNA