National Assembly Chairman's visit makes practical contribution to Vietnam-China relations

On the afternoon of April 12, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation arrived at Noi Bai International Airport, successfully concluding an official visit to the People's Republic of China at the invitation of Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China Zhao Leji.

On this occasion, Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu answered reporters accompanying the delegation about the results of the visit. The following is the content of the interview:

- Could you please assess the significance of the visit to the overall relationship between the two countries?

-The official visit of National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue to China takes place in the context of the positive progress in the relationship between the two Parties and countries in recent times, especially after the historic visit of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong to China (November 2022) and the visit of General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping to Vietnam (December 2023).

This is the first high-level visit after the two countries announced to upgrade their comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and build a community of shared future of strategic significance between Vietnam and China in December 2023.

The visit once again demonstrates a clear message about the consistent foreign policy of our Party and State that attaches importance to relations with neighboring China, wishes to work with China to concretize and implement common perceptions, commitments and agreements of the top leaders of the two Parties and two countries, and actively contribute to the development of the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, for the benefit of the people of the two countries and for peace, stability and development in the region and the world.

As a key leader of the Party and State, the visit of the National Assembly Chairman not only contributes to the cooperative relationship between the two legislative bodies but also to the overall relationship between the two Parties and the two countries in many fields, from politics, security-defense, substantive cooperation, especially economy-trade, investment, transport connectivity, multilateral coordination, people-to-people exchange, control and settlement of maritime disputes in accordance with the "6 more" orientation agreed upon by the top leaders of the two sides.

- Could you please summarize the important results of this visit?

-The visit had several notable results:

First, enhance political trust and revitalize cooperation between the two legislative bodies. High-level contacts between the National Assembly Chairman and Chinese leaders contribute to maintaining strategic exchanges and consolidating political trust between the two Parties and two countries.

In particular, the relationship between the National Assembly of Vietnam and the National People's Congress of China has been raised to a new level. In the overall relationship between the two Parties and two countries, cooperation between the two legislative bodies always plays an important role.

Since 1956, National Assembly Chairman Ton Duc Thang was the first international guest of Chairman of the National People's Congress of China Liu Shaoqi.

Continuing that tradition, the outstanding result of this visit was the signing of a new Cooperation Agreement between the two sides, which established an inter-parliamentary cooperation mechanism co-chaired by the Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly and the Chairman of the Chinese National People's Congress, demonstrating the highest level of trust and cooperation between the parliaments of the two countries.

Second, this visit with many rich, diverse and practical activities of the National Assembly Chairman and members of the delegation, leaders of some localities and business communities of the two countries in Beijing, Shanghai and Yunnan has contributed to creating more opportunities for cooperation, enhancing understanding, learning and sharing with each other, bringing practical cooperation opportunities for people, businesses and localities.

For example, the two sides share many contents such as building large-scale infrastructure cooperation projects. The promulgation of legal documents on policies to facilitate entry and exit, import and export of goods will contribute to promoting the recovery and development of tourism, facilitating trade in goods, especially agricultural products related to the interests of the majority of people.

The Vietnamese National Assembly and the Chinese National People's Congress agreed to work with the governments of the two countries to build a favorable investment and business environment with a complete and transparent legal framework, contributing to promoting high-quality investment cooperation between the two sides.

Third, sharing many relevant experiences in the work of the National Assembly to serve socio-economic development. The two sides agreed to increase exchanges between the National Assembly's specialized committees, exchange experiences in legislative work, supervision, deciding on major issues, building and promoting people's democracy, etc.

For example, the model of the Legislative Contact Point of the National People's Congress of China to collect people's opinions on draft laws is a valuable suggestion for the Vietnamese National Assembly.

The Chinese side also appreciated the innovations in the working methods of the Vietnamese National Assembly, such as direct questioning at sessions.

The delegation and relevant ministries and branches also conducted field surveys and exchanged experiences on reforming and managing state-owned enterprises, developing high-speed railway systems, building international financial centers, free trade zones, developing green energy, smart agriculture, and building cities for the people.

With similar institutions and development paths, exchanging and sharing experiences is very useful for both sides, especially for Vietnam.

With many rich and substantial achievements, the visit of National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue to China continues to be a new step forward in the relationship between the two countries, demonstrating the important and practical contribution of the legislative body to the overall development of the relationship between the two Parties and the two countries of Vietnam and China.

- Thank you very much, Deputy Minister..