China and Vietnam agree to promote maritime cooperation in various forms

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China, and Nguyen Phu Trong, general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, witness the signing of a memorandum of understanding on joint implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative and Vietnam's "Two Corridors and One Economic Circle" plan, as well as a series of cooperation documents after their talks in Hanoi, Vietnam, on Nov. 12, 2017. [Photo: Xinhua/Yao Dawei]

Top leaders from China and Vietnam have agreed to a new set of principles connected to maritime disputes in the South China Sea, and have also pledged cooperation in other areas as well.

CRI's Gao Junya has the details.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China, and Nguyen Phu Trong, general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, have spoken positively about the two countries' development achievements.

Xi Jinping, who's now on a state visit to Vietnam, says the two sides have agreed to consolidate their traditional friendship and deepen cooperation so as to bring more benefits to the two peoples:

"China and Vietnam are both pursuing the policies led by our Communist parties, as well as following the path of socialism. We have strengthened our cooperation to be able to prosper together, to benefit the people of our countries and at the same time to benefit the region as well as the world's stability, prosperity and peace."

For his part, Nguyen Phu Trong has hailed the visit by the Chinese President as a milestone that will lead to a new phase in ties between the two parties and the two countries.

"I sincerely congratulate on the successful conclusion of the 19th CPC National Congress as well as on Comrade Xi Jinping's re-election as general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and his being established as the core of the CPC leadership. The visit to Vietnam, the first overseas trip by the Chinese leader following the 19th Party congress, shows the importance the Chinese side attaches to consolidating and promoting bilateral ties."

The two leaders have witnessed the signing of cooperation momentums on jointly carrying out the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative and Vietnam's "Two Corridors and One Economic Circle" plan.

The two leaders have also agreed to promote regional economic links.

They've also pledged to bolster cooperation in culture, education, media, health, youth-related affairs and tourism.

However, the main agreements have been made over the South China Sea.

The two sides have agreed to promote maritime cooperation in various forms, including joint development, as well as pledging to maintain peace and stability in the region.

Xi Jinping says the new agreements will help chart out a brighter future for bilateral ties:

"With the implementation of the consensuses and agreements, the ties between our two parties and two countries will see even greater development. China is willing to work with Vietnam to continue to promote our comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership through all-round, long term, stable and friendly cooperation, with a view towards the future."

Ruan Zongze , vice-president of the China Institute of International Studies, says China and Vietnam need to continue working together.

"The two countries need to enhance mutual trust. China and Vietnam are neighbors. They need to view their bilateral ties from a strategic level and long-term perspective. I think after the 19th CPC National Congress, China is taking its relations with its surrounding countries as diplomatic priorities, including consolidating relations with Vietnam."

Xi Jinping arrived in Hanoi on Sunday for a state visit.

It is his second visit to Vietnam as Chinese leader.

His previous state visit was in 2015.

For CRI, I'm Gao Junya.