Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and China's State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang. Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

At the meeting within the framework of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's official visit to China, Mr. Qin said that China considers Vietnam a priority direction in China's periphery diplomacy and in China's relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The two Ministers agreed to continue working closely in promoting exchanges and contacts at all levels; support ministries, sectors and localities to deepen substantive cooperation in all fields, strengthen friendly exchanges between the people of the two countries; expand cooperation at multilateral forums; and properly handle disagreements and jointly maintain a peaceful and stable environment in the region.

They agreed to continue strictly implementing the agreements and common perceptions of the senior leaders of the two parties and countries, well control disagreements, and properly handle issues at sea.