Chinese Premier Li Kiang, left, and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh embrace each other before a meeting in Hanoi, Vietnam on October 13, 2024. Photo Credit: AP
Vietnam and China agreed to calm tensions there South China Sea disputeVietnamese state media reported on Sunday, days after Hanoi accused Beijing of a “brutal” attack on its fishermen.
China is Vietnam’s largest trading partner, but there are historic tensions between the two countries, including over the South China Sea, a waterway through which trillions of dollars of trade passes each year.
Beijing has been trying for years to expand its presence in disputed areas of the sea, defying international rulings that its claims to most of the waterway have no legal basis.
Last week Hanoi protested “brutal” attacks by Chinese vessels, saying 10 Vietnamese fishermen were beaten with iron bars and thousands of dollars worth of fish and equipment were looted.
Vietnamese state media said Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Chinese Premier Li Kiang “exchanged honest and candid views on maritime issues” at a meeting in Hanoi.
“They committed to adequately manage differences…avoid actions that could complicate the situation, and jointly maintain stability at sea.” bao chin fu The newspaper said.
The two countries also signed 10 agreements on Sunday, including on cross-border railway links, payments and expansion of economic cooperation.
They agreed to work on technical planning for a rail link between Lao Cai in northern Vietnam and Hekou in China’s Yunnan province.
They also signed a memorandum of understanding on the implementation of cross-border payment services through QR codes and an agreement to study a model for an “economic cooperation area” across their border.
Vietnamese state media reported that Vietnam’s top leader To Lam and Mr Lee agreed on Saturday to boost defense and economic cooperation.
Hanoi will facilitate more high-tech Chinese investments in Vietnam and Beijing will strengthen market access for Vietnamese agricultural products Nhan Daan The newspaper said.
At Saturday’s meeting, Mr Lam “urged both sides to better manage and resolve differences on maritime issues”, according to the newspaper.
Mr Lam took over as secretary-general in early August following the death of his predecessor Nguyen Phu Trong.
He later met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing during his first foreign visit.
published – October 14, 2024 05:32 am IST