China and Vietnam strengthening ties as neighbors, partners and friends

The exchange of congratulatory remarks between the top leaders of China and Vietnam on the occasion of the two countries' 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties underscores both sides' commitment to nourishing their friendship and jointly building a China-Vietnam community with a shared future.

China and Vietnam have learned from each other and forged ahead hand in hand, advancing socialism and deepening their comprehensive strategic cooperation. Their reciprocal cooperation in a wide range of fields, including political, economic, trade, security, and people-to-people exchanges, has benefited the two peoples and contributed to regional and world stability, development and prosperity.

In recent years, under the guidance of the leaders of both parties and countries, bilateral ties have progressed by leaps and bounds and been lifted to a strategic height. The frequent high-level interaction has provided strong momentum for bilateral relations to enter a new stage of higher political mutual trust.

The two neighbors signed a memorandum of understanding on the joint implementation of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative and Vietnam's "Two Corridors and One Economic Circle" plan in 2017, ushering in major projects that have substantially improved people's well-being.

The strengthening of the China-Vietnam relationship serves the fundamental interests of both nations and aligns with the current global trends. China's stable, growing ties with Vietnam, a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, also contributes to China's overall relations with the 10-member bloc and the building of a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future. In today's turbulent world, China-Vietnam cooperation also contributes to regional and world peace and development.

In stark contrast to some ill-intentioned forces' repeated provocations over the South China Sea disputes, China and Vietnam have vowed to work together to maintain the South China Sea as a sea of peace and cooperation, oppose the involvement of external forces and accelerate consultations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.

In this new phase of bilateral relations and at a new historical juncture, both nations should work more closely together to safeguard international equality and justice, practice true multilateralism, and support each other on issues concerning their respective major interests.

The two neighbors have everything to gain from continuing to leverage their shared opportunities, speeding up important cooperation plans and implementing the consensus reached between them so as to bring long-term benefits to the two peoples and ensure the giant ship of China-Vietnam friendship will sail toward greater success.