Premier Li Keqiang held talks with visiting Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Sept 12.

Premier Li noted that China and Vietnam are neighbors linked by mountains and rivers and that they are also development partners. China supports Vietnam’s socialist path, which is suitable to its national conditions. And China is willing to adhere to the policy of building friendship and partnership with neighboring countries and the guideline of neighborhood diplomacy featuring amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness.

The Premier said China is also willing to strengthen strategic communication and high-level exchanges with Vietnam, maintain the direction of the development of China-Vietnam relations, further mutually beneficial cooperation, expand people-to-people exchanges, promote the healthy development of bilateral relations, and bring benefits to the people of both countries.

The Premier also said that China and Vietnam have complementary developmental advantages and noted that he hopes both sides can promote the coordination of strategies for the development of the Lancang-Mekong River sub-regional area and strengthen pragmatic cooperation in infrastructure construction, production capacity, trade investment and finance.

Efforts should also be made to make the best use of mechanisms and platforms for people-to-people exchanges and enhance party-to-party, national defense, and law enforcement security exchanges, as well as consolidating the development of China-Vietnam relations, he said.

Premier Li emphasized that South China Sea issues concern territorial sovereignty, marine rights and interests, and national feelings. Both sides should keep the consensus reached by top leaders to control disputes and promote marine cooperation, safeguarding marine and regional stability and creating conditions for stable bilateral relations.

Phuc said friendship and cooperation have remained the mainstream trend in the 66 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties. Vietnam always remembers China’s support for its national liberation and construction, he said.

He added that stable and solid bilateral relations are the constant position and diplomatic priority of the Vietnamese government. Vietnam is willing to enhance political trust with China, maintain high-level exchanges, deepen pragmatic cooperation in all fields, and strengthen coordination in multilateral affairs.

Vietnam will properly deal with marine issues based on equality and mutual respect and conduct marine cooperation in less sensitive fields, he said. The government will not let marine issues affect relations between the two nations, said the prime minster.

Premier Li Keqiang holds a welcome ceremony in front of the Great Hall of the People for visiting Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on Sept 12.

Before the meeting, Premier Li held a welcome ceremony in front of the Great Hall of the People for the visiting prime minister. Vice-chairperson of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Ma Peihua also took part in the ceremony.

After the meeting, Premier Li and Phuc witnessed the signing of cooperation agreements concerning the economy and trade, production capacity, infrastructure and education.