Vietnam, China discuss East Sea issue on AMM-48 sidelines

The two sides agreed that through close direction from the two countries’ leaders, the relations between Viet Nam and China have seen new and positive developments.

Fruitful bilateral visits and delegation exchanges of high-ranking officials, particularly the China visit by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and the Viet Nam visit by Chinese Politburo Standing Committee member and Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli, have made substantial contributions to enhancing mutual understanding and cooperation between the two countries.

The FMs concurred that the maintenance and enhancement of high-level visits and meetings has significant meaning in increasing the two nations’ political trust.

In that spirit, Minh and Wang exchanged measures to prepare for and promote the upcoming visits by their top leaders.

They agreed to push collaboration between Vietnamese and Chinese foreign ministries ahead; promote the role of the Viet Nam-China steering committee for bilateral cooperation; and bring cooperation into play across the board but particularly in economy, trade, investment and infrastructure construction.

The FMs candidly discussed the East Sea issue. Deputy PM Minh confirmed that Viet Nam is deeply concerned over the expansion and building stone islands that change the status quo in the East Sea and affect the maintenance of peace and stability in the region. This is also the deep concern of other ASEAN member states, he stressed.

Deputy PM, FM Minh confirmed that China is an important partner of ASEAN and its member nations all individually want relations between the bloc and China to develop healthily. Handling East Sea issues will contribute to propelling ASEAN-China relations forward, he said.

He urged the two sides to maintain agreements and common perceptions reached by leaders of the two Parties and States on effectively controlling marine disputes without actions to complicate and expand disputes.

It is also imperative to fully implement the Viet Nam-China Agreement on fundamental principles guiding the settlement of sea-related issues and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) while working together with other ASEAN member states to complete a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

Deputy PM, FM Minh highlighted the significance of resolving any disputes by peaceful means and in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and joining together to sustain a marine environment of peace and stability.

The Chinese FM affirmed that China is willing to increase high-level meetings between the two countries’ Parties and States as well as enhance strategic exchanges to deepen the bilateral political trust and properly address disputes.

China hopes to promote cooperation with ASEAN in addressing disputes in the East Sea, including marine risk management, he said.