On December 10, 2024, in Beijing, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son co-chaired the 16th meeting of the Vietnam-China Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation with Wang Yi, a member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of China and Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Both sides expressed satisfaction with the comprehensive development of their cooperative ties since the last meeting held in Hanoi in December 2023. They engaged in in-depth discussions and agreed on measures to effectively implement the common perceptions reached by the senior leaders of both nations, aiming to elevate bilateral relations to a new level.
Bui Thanh Son congratulated China on its achievements in reform and expressed confidence in the leadership of the Communist Party of China under Xi Jinping. He reaffirmed Vietnam's commitment to maintaining stable and sustainable relations with China as a priority in its foreign policy.
Wang Yi emphasized Vietnam's importance in China's neighborhood diplomacy and expressed confidence in Vietnam's development goals under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam.
The meeting acknowledged positive progress in various sectors, including economic cooperation, transport connectivity, and people-to-people exchanges. Both sides agreed to enhance high-level exchanges and cooperation in diplomacy, defense, and security.
Son proposed accelerating railway connectivity and facilitating trade, while Wang affirmed China's willingness to import high-quality Vietnamese goods and address challenges in Chinese-invested projects in Vietnam.
On maritime issues, both parties agreed to implement high-level common perceptions and maintain peace in the East Sea, emphasizing mutual respect for sovereignty and the importance of international law.
During the meeting, they exchanged agreements on the construction of three standard-gauge railway lines and attended a ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the Vietnam-China Border Treaty.
This meeting serves as a platform for both nations to strengthen their strategic partnership and address regional challenges collaboratively.