Senior officials from China will visit Vietnam from March 15-17 to attend the first ministerial-level strategic dialogue on foreign affairs, national defence and public security between the two countries, known as the “3+3” dialogue.
The visiting delegation includes Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong, Minister of National Defence Dong Jun.
During the visit, Wang Yi will co-chair the 17th meeting of the Vietnam-China Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation with his Vietnamese counterpart Le Hoai Trung, according to a statement released on March 13 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China.
Speaking to the media in Beijing on March 13, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said China and Vietnam are friendly socialist neighbours working together to build a community with a shared future of strategic significance.
He said that under the direct guidance of the two countries’ senior Party and State leaders, the two sides have established the “3+3” strategic dialogue mechanism covering diplomacy, national defence and public security.
Guo noted that this is the first “3+3” dialogue mechanism created by either country worldwide, reflecting the strategic importance of bilateral relations.
Following the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam in January, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China, held a phone call with General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam.
During the conversation, the two leaders agreed to organise the first ministerial-level meeting under the “3+3” mechanism as well as the 17th meeting of the bilateral steering committee.
Since its establishment in 2006, the Vietnam-China Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation has played a key role in advancing the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries.
Guo said that amid complex global developments, China and Vietnam need to strengthen strategic exchanges and deepen coordination to accelerate the building of a China-Vietnam community with a shared future, support each country’s modernisation efforts and jointly address common challenges.
He added that China stands ready to work closely with Vietnam under the strategic direction of the two countries’ senior leaders to combine high-quality development with high-level security and effectively implement key cooperation mechanisms.
According to the spokesperson, deeper cooperation will bring tangible benefits to people in both countries while contributing to peace, stability and prosperity in the region.
