Wang Yi Visits Vietnamese Foreign Minister... Preparations for Summit?

Wang Yi, member of the Central Political Bureau of the Chinese Communist Party and Minister of Foreign Affairs, visited Vietnam for two days to discuss ways to enhance exchanges between the two countries, including expanding local investment.

According to major foreign media on the 2nd, Wang Yi arrived in Hanoi the previous day and paid a courtesy call on Nguyen Phu Trong, the Communist Party Secretary General and the top-ranking official, to discuss ways to improve bilateral relations. Secretary General Trong proposed expanding mutual visits by high-level officials, and Wang Yi responded that it was a necessary measure to strengthen cooperation in various sectors and enhance mutual trust.

On the same day, Minister Wang Yi co-chaired the 15th Vietnam-China Joint Cooperation Steering Committee with Deputy Prime Minister Tran Lu Quang. This year marks the 15th anniversary of the 'Comprehensive Strategic Partnership' between the two countries, whose trade volume reached $175.6 billion (approximately 228 trillion won) last year. Vietnam's exports to China amounted to $57.7 billion, while imports were $117.87 billion.

[Image source= Xinhua News Agency]

First, the two countries agreed that China would expand investment in high-tech and eco-friendly sectors in Vietnam. They also agreed to strengthen cooperation in science, technology, environment, transportation, and agriculture, and to expand collaboration in culture, education, and tourism.

The Vietnamese side raised concerns about some projects supported by China that have been progressing slowly and requested supplementary measures. In particular, Deputy Prime Minister Quang asked the Chinese side to improve customs clearance procedures at the border and to promptly establish a trade promotion office to expand imports of Vietnamese agricultural and fishery products.

Furthermore, regarding the South China Sea territorial disputes, Vietnam requested cooperation with ASEAN member countries to establish a 'Code of Conduct' (COC) based on international law that respects each other's interests and prevents armed conflicts.

China and ASEAN member countries adopted the 'Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea' (DOC) in 2002 to prevent armed conflicts and have been negotiating the establishment of the binding COC treaty, but negotiations have stalled since the spread of COVID-19.

Meanwhile, some analysts view Wang Yi's visit to Vietnam as part of preparatory work for Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to Vietnam later this year. A diplomatic source said, "While Xi Jinping's visit to Vietnam is highly likely, there are sensitive diplomatic issues that require coordination between the two countries, so we need to wait and see."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.