China and Vietnam have agreed to properly handle their dispute
over the South China Sea, according to the consensus reached at the
second meeting of the China-Vietnam steering committee on
cooperation held on Wednesday.
The meeting was co-chaired by Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan and Vietnamese Deputy Prime
Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem.
The two agreed to properly handle the problems in bilateral
ties, such as the South China Sea dispute, to ensure the steady and
healthy development of bilateral ties.
The two sides also agreed to maintain frequent contacts of
senior leaders of both countries, expand economic and trade
cooperation, strengthen cooperation in fighting transnational crime
and terrorism, promote cultural exchanges, and enhance coordination
in major international and regional issues.
Tang said at the meeting that China had always regarded
China-Vietnam relations with a strategic and long-term point of
view and promoted their healthy and steady development.
He said it was in the interests of both countries and both
peoples to strengthen friendship, deepen practical cooperation and
realize mutual benefits.
Pham said it was a priority of Vietnam's foreign policy to
develop relations between Vietnam and China and the two political
parties, and Vietnam has devoted itself to continuously promoting
friendship between the two peoples and bilateral cooperation in
various fields.
Pham said the Vietnamese party and government firmly adhered to
the one-China policy, considered Taiwan as an inalienable part of
China's territory, supported China's reunification cause, and
opposed "Taiwan independence" activities of any form, including the
"UN membership referendum".
Tang appreciated Pham's remarks.
The China-Vietnam steering committee on cooperation convenes
meetings annually in principle, and is held in turn in the two
countries. The first meeting was held in November 2006 in
Hanoi.
(Xinhua News Agency January 24, 2008)
