China and Vietnam strengthen bilateral cooperation at China-ASEAN Expo

China is ready to import high-quality Vietnamese goods suitable for the Chinese market, upgrade border ports and set up smart ports to facilitate trade between the two countries, Premier Li Kiang said on Saturday.

When he met with Vietnamese Prime Minister Bam Minh Sinh in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, the premier stressed Beijing’s readiness to strengthen win-win cooperation with Hanoi.

Li called on the two sides to strengthen cooperation in rail connectivity and key minerals, and jointly build a system of mutually beneficial, sustainable and seamless industry and supply chains.

The Vietnamese leader is in Nanning to attend the 20th China-ASEAN Expo and China-ASEAN Trade and Investment Forum starting on Sunday.

Li told Xi that China places relations with Vietnam as a priority in its neighborly diplomacy and is ready to work with Vietnam to demonstrate mutual support, protect common strategic interests and promote the continuous improvement of bilateral relations.

He called for expanded exchanges and cooperation in youth, education, health and tourism to promote mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples.

Li said the two sides should adhere to dialogue and consultation to manage differences and work together resolutely to uphold fairness and justice.

Sinh said that Vietnam and China are comrades and brothers, and the comprehensive strategic cooperative alliance between Hanoi and Beijing is Vietnam’s earliest, highest and most prioritized foreign relationship.

The development of Vietnam’s foreign relations will not harm the interests of third parties, and his country adheres to the one-China policy and supports China’s development, he said.

The Vietnamese leader called for increased bilateral cooperation in agriculture, trade, finance and culture, saying the two sides should properly manage differences, closely coordinate multilateral cooperation and raise their relations to a new level.