Full text of Vietnam-China Joint Statement

During the state visit to China by General Secretary and President To Lam from August 18-20, 2024, the two sides issued a "Joint Statement between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the People's Republic of China on further strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promoting the building of a Vietnam-China community of shared future".

We respectfully introduce the full text of the Joint Statement:

1. At the invitation of General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam To Lam paid a state visit to China from August 18 to 20, 2024.

During the visit, General Secretary and President To Lam held talks with General Secretary and President Xi Jinping, and met with Premier Li Qiang of the State Council, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Zhao Leji, and Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Wang Huning. In a sincere and friendly atmosphere, the two sides informed each other of the situation of each party and each country; in-depth exchanges of opinions, and reached important common understandings on further strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership, promoting the building of the Vietnam-China Community of Shared Future in the new situation, and international and regional issues of mutual concern.

2. The Communist Party of Vietnam and the Communist Party of China are the two ruling Communist Parties in the world, shouldering a historic mission, striving for the happiness of the people, developing the country, striving for peace and human progress. In the cause of fighting for national independence and liberation, the two Parties, two countries and people of Vietnam and China have assisted and supported each other, establishing a tradition of friendship "the close relationship between Vietnam and China, both comrades and brothers". This year marks the 100th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh's visit to Guangdong to carry out revolutionary activities; 2025 marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-China diplomatic relations and the 95th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam. Entering the new era, the two sides will not forget their original friendship, remember their common mission, firmly follow the path to socialism and promote modernization in accordance with the situation of each country, follow the path of Vietnam-China friendship established by generations of leaders of the two Parties and two countries, continue to deepen and elevate the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership, jointly build a Vietnam-China Community of Shared Future of strategic significance, promote the relationship between the two Parties and two countries to new heights, strive for the happiness of the people and a prosperous country, for the development of the socialist cause, for the cause of peace and progress of mankind.

3. The Vietnamese side warmly congratulates the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, warmly congratulates the successful holding of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, highly appreciates the great achievements China has made in the new era; believes that Chinese-style modernization has opened up a choice of paths and implementation methods for the autonomous development of developing countries; China's comprehensive deepening of reform and opening up to the outside world at a high level will bring new momentum and new opportunities for the development of countries. The Vietnamese side wishes and believes that under the steadfast leadership of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core, under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the Party, Government and People of China will comprehensively build a great modern socialist country and successfully achieve the second 100-year goal.

The Chinese side congratulated and highly appreciated Vietnam's important achievements in nearly 40 years of renovation, nearly 15 years of implementing the "Platform for National Construction in the Transitional Period to Socialism" (supplemented and developed in 2011), especially the important, outstanding and comprehensive achievements since the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam up to now, promoting Vietnam's comprehensive strength and international influence to unprecedented heights. The Chinese side wishes and believes that under the correct leadership of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam headed by Comrade To Lam, the Party, State and People of Vietnam will certainly successfully implement the major goals and tasks set by the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, prepare well and successfully organize the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam in 2026, and build Vietnam into a high-income developed country with a socialist orientation by 2045. The Chinese side affirms its support for Vietnam to develop prosperously, the people to be happy, build a strong, independent and self-reliant economy, promote the synchronous cause of innovation, industrialization, modernization, comprehensive international integration, develop open and friendly foreign relations, and promote an increasingly important role for peace, stability, development and prosperity of the region and the world.

4. China emphasizes its persistent policy of friendship with Vietnam and always considers Vietnam a priority in its neighborly diplomacy. Vietnam affirms that it always considers relations with China a top priority in its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralization, and diversification. This is the strategic choice of both sides.

The two sides emphasized the need to seriously implement the common perception and results achieved during the bilateral visits of the top leaders of the two Parties and two countries, especially the two historic visits in 2022 and 2023 by the late General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and General Secretary and President Xi Jinping, together with the "Joint Statement on Continuing to Promote and Deepen the Vietnam-China Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership" and "Joint Statement on Continuing to Deepen and Enhance the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership, Building a Vietnam-China Community of Shared Future of Strategic Significance" announced respectively during the two visits; Adhering to the “16-word” motto and the “4-good” spirit, persistently implementing the “6-more” direction, with higher political trust, more substantive defense and security cooperation, deeper substantive cooperation, a more solid social foundation, closer multilateral coordination, better control and resolution of disagreements; promoting the building of the Vietnam-China Community of Shared Future to achieve more substantive results, striving for the happiness of the people and the prosperity of the country, for the cause of peace and progress of mankind.

5. The two sides affirmed to maintain strategic exchanges between high-ranking leaders of the two Parties and two countries, jointly orienting the development of Vietnam-China relations. Fully promote the special role of the Party channel, further strengthen the overall coordination role of the exchange and cooperation mechanisms between the two Parties, especially high-level meetings between the two Parties, Theoretical Workshops between the two Parties, exchanges between the two Parties' foreign affairs agencies; improve the effectiveness of cooperation between the respective agencies of the two Parties at the Central and local Party committees, especially in provinces/border areas; comprehensively implement theoretical exchanges and experiences in Party and country management, jointly deepen awareness of the ruling laws of the Communist Party, the laws of building socialism, and the laws of human development to serve Party building and the development of the socialist cause of each side. Strengthen friendly exchanges and promote the role of the cooperation mechanisms between the National Assembly of Vietnam and the National People's Congress of China, and friendly exchanges between organizations at the central level and border provinces of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. The two sides agreed that the Vietnam-China Bilateral Cooperation Steering Committee should strengthen overall coordination, direct ministries, branches and localities of the two countries to build the Vietnam-China Community of Shared Future, and strengthen mechanisms and forms of exchange and cooperation in strategic areas such as diplomacy, defense and security.

The Vietnamese side affirmed its firm adherence to the “one China” policy, recognizing that there is only one China in the world, Taiwan is an inseparable part of Chinese territory, and the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legitimate government representing all of China. It supports the peaceful development of cross-strait relations and the great cause of China’s reunification, resolutely opposes any form of “Taiwan independence” separatist actions, and will not develop any state-level relations with Taiwan. The Vietnamese side believes that the issues of Hong Kong, Xinjiang, and Tibet are China’s internal affairs, and believes that under the leadership of the Chinese Party and Government, these regions will maintain stability and develop prosperously. China supports Vietnam in maintaining social stability, ensuring national security and development, and national unity.

6. The two sides affirmed that defense and security cooperation is one of the pillars of the Vietnam-China relationship; agreed to strengthen defense and security cooperation; through channels such as Border Defense Friendship Exchange, Defense and Security Dialogue, enhance exchanges at all levels between the two countries' armies; deepen border, naval, and coast guard exchanges; promote cooperation in areas such as political work, defense industry, mutual naval ship visits, and United Nations peacekeeping. Strengthen mechanisms between the two countries' Ministries of Public Security such as the Ministerial Conference on Crime Prevention Cooperation, Strategic Security Dialogue, Political Security Working Group; promote cooperation in the fields of preventing and combating telecommunications fraud, cyber security, economic crimes, human trafficking, organizing illegal immigration and emigration, and arresting and recovering assets of criminals who have fled abroad; Coordinate exchanges and promote the establishment of a hotline between the two countries' Ministries of Public Security, promptly ratify the State-level Agreement on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons between Vietnam and China; establish and expand cooperation between the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security and the Chinese Ministry of Emergency Management. Strengthen information exchange and experience sharing in counter-interference, counter-secession, and prevention of "color revolutions", jointly protect political security and regime security. Strengthen cooperation in the legal and judicial fields between the two countries, and provide legal guarantees for cooperation in all fields between Vietnam and China.

7. The two sides agreed to promote the connection of development strategies between the two countries, effectively implement the Cooperation Plan connecting the “Two Corridors, One Belt” Framework with the “Belt and Road” Initiative; accelerate the promotion of “hard connections” between the two countries in terms of railways, expressways, and border gate infrastructure; upgrade “soft connections” in terms of smart customs; China agreed to provide support for Vietnam to develop the planning of the Lang Son - Hanoi and Mong Cai - Ha Long - Hai Phong standard gauge railway lines, and develop a Feasibility Study Report for the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong standard gauge railway line. Promote the pilot construction of smart border gates at the Huu Nghi (Vietnam) - Huu Nghi Quan (China) international border gate and a dedicated road for transporting goods in the area of ​​landmarks 1088/2 - 1089 (Tan Thanh - Po Chai). Actively research and deploy pilot construction of cross-border economic cooperation zones, jointly build safe and stable production and supply chains.
The two sides encourage and support enterprises with strength, reputation and advanced technology to invest in the other country, focusing on strengthening cooperation in the fields of high-tech agriculture, infrastructure, clean energy, digital economy, green development; which will create a fair and favorable business environment for enterprises of the other country. In-depth exchange of experience in reforming and managing state-owned enterprises, implementing cooperation in human resource training; actively research to strengthen cooperation in key mineral fields. Make good use of the Working Group on Financial and Monetary Cooperation between the two countries, enhance information exchange and share experience in policy management and reforms in the financial and monetary fields, promote monetary cooperation. Accelerate the implementation of economic and technical cooperation projects such as the Traditional Medicine Hospital, Facility 2.

Promote the role of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA); make good use of e-commerce platforms and exhibitions; strengthen customs cooperation, expand exports of key goods of one country to the other. China is willing to continue to create favorable conditions for Vietnam to soon open more Trade Promotion Offices in some localities of China. Vietnam supports China's accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in accordance with the standards and procedures of the Agreement, and actively welcomes the proposal of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China to join the RCEP.

8. The two sides affirmed that they will preserve the traditional friendship, remember the common ideals and missions, and persistently promote the Vietnam-China friendship. The two sides declared 2025 as the "Vietnam-China Humanitarian Exchange Year" and will jointly organize a series of activities to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-China diplomatic relations. Through the Party, youth, and friendship city channels, they will exploit the "red relic" resources in localities such as Guangxi, Yunnan, Guangdong, and Chongqing, and organize research, study, cultural, and tourism activities in diverse forms. Encourage more and more tourists to travel to the other country. Promote the role of the Chinese Cultural Center in Vietnam, and welcome Vietnam to establish a Cultural Center in China; Encourage cooperation in communications, news, publishing, radio, television, research and vocational training cooperation, enhance exchanges and cooperation in the fields of medicine, health care, traditional medicine, prevention and mitigation of natural disaster impacts.

9. The two sides affirmed that strengthening multilateral coordination and cooperation in line with the process of building the Vietnam-China Community of Shared Future has strategic significance. The two sides need to adhere to the "Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence" and basic norms of international relations, jointly protect the international system with the United Nations as the core and the international order with international law as the foundation, protect international justice, fairness and common interests of developing countries. Resolutely promote a multipolar world with equality, order and comprehensive, inclusive and sustainable economic globalization. The two sides agreed to promote cooperation within the framework of major initiatives of the Community of Shared Future for Humanity, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, the above initiatives have the goal of protecting the common interests of all mankind, for the cause of peace, justice and progress of the people of the world, meeting the aspirations of the people of all countries to build a better world. The two sides advocate for exchanges and cooperation in human rights issues on the basis of equality and mutual respect, resolutely oppose “politicization”, “instrumentalization” and double standards in human rights issues, and resolutely oppose the use of human rights issues to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries. Strengthen coordination and cooperation in multilateral mechanisms such as the United Nations and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), and support each other's candidacy for international organizations. China supports Vietnam in hosting APEC 2027 and supports Vietnam's accession and promotion of its role in multilateral mechanisms.

The two sides agreed to jointly promote open regional cooperation. China supports ASEAN in building an ASEAN Community of solidarity, unity, self-reliance and development, maintaining its central role in the ever-changing regional structure; together with ASEAN countries, promoting the initiative on building "Five common houses" of peace, security, prosperity, beauty and friendship; accelerating the construction of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area version 3.0; strengthening the implementation of cooperation areas within the framework of Mekong-Lancang cooperation, striving to promote the building of a Community of Shared Future of Mekong-Lancang countries for peace and prosperity; enhancing cooperation within the framework of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) economic cooperation.

10. The two sides had in-depth and sincere exchanges of opinions on maritime issues, emphasizing the need to better control and actively resolve maritime disputes, maintaining peace and stability in the East Sea and the region.

The two sides agreed that it is necessary to comply with the common perception of the high-ranking leaders of the two Parties and two countries, jointly maintain peace and stability in the East Sea, persistently through friendly consultations, actively seek fundamental and long-term solutions that are acceptable to both sides in accordance with the "Agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of maritime issues between Vietnam and China", international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and not take actions that complicate the situation or expand disputes. Promote discussions on cooperation for joint development at sea and discussions on delimitation of the sea area outside the mouth of the Gulf of Tonkin to soon achieve substantial progress, actively promote cooperation in less sensitive areas at sea. Continue to comprehensively and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), on the basis of consensus and consultation, to soon reach a substantive, effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Continue to coordinate effectively in implementing legal documents on land borders and related agreements, strengthen cooperation in the Vietnam-China land border area, and organize well the activities to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Land Border Treaty and the 15th anniversary of the signing of three legal documents on the Vietnam-China land border.

11. During the visit, the two sides signed cooperation documents in the fields of party schools, interconnection, industry, finance, customs quarantine inspection, health, press and media, local and people's livelihood.

12. The two sides agreed that the state visit to China by General Secretary and President To Lam was a great success, playing an important role in promoting the building of the Vietnam-China Community of Shared Future, which is of strategic significance and beneficial to peace, stability and development in the region and the world.

General Secretary and President To Lam thanked the Chinese side for the warm and friendly reception and respectfully invited General Secretary and President Xi Jinping to visit Vietnam again soon. General Secretary and President Xi Jinping expressed his gratitude and happily accepted the invitation.

Beijing, August 20, 2024”.