China, Vietnam vow to further strengthen strategic ties

HANOI: The 17th meeting of the China-Vietnam Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation was held in Hanoi on Tuesday, co-chaired by Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang YiWang Yi and Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh SonBui Thanh Son.

The session brought together senior officials from multiple ministries and provincial governments of both countries, participating through a mix of online and offline formats.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasised that close coordination among departments and localities has already helped upgrade China-Vietnam cooperation across multiple sectors. Highlighting the importance of unity amid a “complex and volatile international situation,” Wang called on both countries to jointly advance socialist modernization, create new opportunities for bilateral relations, and contribute to Global South solidarity, self-reliance, and regional peace and stability.

Wang outlined several areas for expanded pragmatic cooperation, including railway connectivity, agriculture, energy, finance, key minerals, and technological innovation. He also stressed the importance of safeguarding the multilateral trading system and maintaining the momentum of people-to-people exchanges, covering media, publishing, radio, and film.

On regional security, Wang underscored the need to strengthen maritime cooperation and to finalize consultations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea at the earliest opportunity.

Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to strategic partnership with China, describing it as a top priority in Hanoi’s foreign policy. Son reiterated Vietnam’s adherence to the one-China policy and opposition to any form of “Taiwan independence” separatism.

Son expressed support for China’s proposed next steps in cooperation and highlighted Vietnam’s willingness to consolidate strategic mutual trust, prepare for high-level exchanges, and deepen party and parliamentary communications. He also signaled Vietnam’s intent to strengthen defense and security cooperation, advance mutually beneficial initiatives in trade, agriculture, finance, and green energy, and expand cultural and educational collaboration.

The two sides additionally committed to multilateral coordination, effective management of differences, and advancing China-Vietnam relations to deeper and more substantive levels, according to a joint statement issued after the meeting.

Observers say the session reflects both countries’ desire to solidify their strategic partnership amid global uncertainty, expand economic and technological ties, and maintain regional stability while promoting shared interests in trade, infrastructure, and security.