Vietnamese Ambassador to China Dang Minh Khoi (Photo: VNA)

The diplomat granted Nhan Dan Newspaper’s correspondents in China an interview on the occasion of the upcoming official visit by National Assembly (NA) Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan to China from July 8 to 12.

Regarding the recent development in bilateral relations, Khoi said that Vietnam and China are neighbouring countries with a long-standing traditional friendship. In recent years, with the joint efforts of both parties, bilateral cooperation continues to witness strong development in all fields, with economic cooperation increasingly intimate, bringing practical benefits for the people of the two countries.

He pointed to four highlights in the relationship between the two countries in recent years, including the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries which has developed stably and has helped the political trust strengthen. Secondly, economic, trade and investment cooperation has been promoted and become a bright spot in the relationship between the two sides. Thirdly, people-to-people exchanges has also become one of the important pillars of bilateral relations. Finally, the two sides agreed to maintain peace and stability in the East Sea together.

Revealing the purpose of the official visit to China by NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, the diplomat informed that it is the first official visit by a Party and State leader of Vietnam since the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, and also the first visit to China by NA Chairwoman Ngan as Vietnam’s top legislator.

The visit has important implications in maintaining high-level exchanges between the two Parties and the two States, contributing to strengthening political trust and the Vietnam - China comprehensive strategic partnership in a practical and effective manner, for the benefit of the people from both side, as well as for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

This visit also demonstrates the increasingly important role of the NA’s foreign affairs, especially by the highest leader of Vietnam’s NA, in the overall foreign relations during the nation’s increasingly promoted international integration process. Cooperation and exchanges between the two countries’ legislative bodies are also important channels to enhance political understanding and trust between the two sides. It is also expected to contribute to promoting cooperation and exchange of experience on legislative operation, further enhancing the supervision and urging the governments of the two countries to implement common agreements between senior leaders of the two countries, as well as strengthening coordination and supporting each other on regional and world inter-parliamentary forums, while boosting cooperation during the implementation of international treaties joined by the two sides.

The visit is made on the occasion that China has celebrated its 40th anniversary of its reform and opening-up and is preparing to celebrate its 70th founding anniversary. Vietnam congratulates China's achievements in the past 70 years, especially in the 40 years of reform, and always considers China's development over the years as one of the most important achievements of mankind, Khoi said, adding that Vietnam also wishes China to continue to develop and contribute positively and responsibly to the world and the region.

Regarding the key activities during Ngan’s visit, the ambassador informed that during the visit, NA Chairwoman Ngan will hold talks and meetings with leaders of the Party, the Government and the National People’s Congress of China to discuss major directions in relations between the two countries, as well as specific measures to promote cooperation between the two sides in all fields. One of the important focuses is to strengthen close cooperation between the two legislative bodies and their agencies.

Economic and trade cooperation is a bright spot in the overall relationship between Vietnam and China, which is the content discussed by senior leaders of the two in meetings, talks and conferences and also expressed in the followed joint statement. During the visits to China, leaders from the Party and State of Vietnam spent time interacting with representatives from China's leading corporations and enterprises through flexible forms, such as attending the relevant forums, talks and round table discussions, through which helping Chinese enterprises understand more about Vietnam's investment policies and environment. During her visit, NA Chairwoman Ngan will also meet leaders of large Chinese corporations among the world's 500 largest enterprises in infrastructure, energy, high-tech, telecommunications, e-commerce and agriculture.

In addition to the capital city of Beijing, Ngan will visit Jiangsu province, which has a long history and culture, and is also the economic driver of the eastern region of China. The "Vietnam Cultural Day in China" is also an important highlight during her visit, introducing the Vietnamese culture to the Chinese public, thus enhancing understanding and linking the people of the two countries. NA Chairwoman Ngan will also visit several economic and scientific and technical facilities in China. She will also spend time meeting representatives of overseas Vietnamese living in China, to collect their opinions and aspirations, as well as informing them of the latest achievements of the country and the NA’s activities.