At the invitation of the Chinese Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and a delegation of the Government of Vietnam attended the second Belt and Road Forum for International Co-operation (BRI) from April 25-27, 2019.

Cooperation in the framework of BRI must be equal, transparent, open, sincere and mutually beneficial

Speaking at the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation under the theme “Belt and Road Cooperation: Shaping a Brighter Shared Future,” Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc stated connectivity should be promoted comprehensively, including digital connection, and development of transport, energy, information and telecommunication to people. BRI's sustainable development must be in tune with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda. In addition to the efforts of each country, initiatives and international cooperation mechanisms must aim to: (i) balance the short-term growth objectives with the long-term development objectives, ensuring economic efficiency, environmental and social sustainability; (ii) take people as a center, heighten people's responsibility, contribution and creativity, and people must enjoy the fruits of BRI cooperation with a better life, no one is left behind; and (iii) transit to a digital economy with innovation-based growth, and science and technology as the basis for the flow of Industrial Revolution 4.0.

In order for BRI cooperation to bring about substantial and long-term results, nations, big or small, must be respected, listened to and differences must be addressed through consultations and dialogues; cooperation should be equal, transparent, open, sincere, mutually beneficial and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and international law. These are the foundation for successful connectivity and development.

Comments of Vietnam and many other contents were reflected in the Joint Communiqué of the Forum. The Vietnamese delegation also participated in various activities of the Forum. Ministers of Planning and Investment, Industry and Trade, Natural Resources and Environment, Government Inspectorate attended and spoke at seminars of the Forum.

Promoting Vietnam-China relations

During meetings, and talks with Chinese leaders, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc affirmed that Vietnam always attaches importance to sustainably and stably develop the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic partnership; supports the Belt and Road initiative to ensure principles of cooperation in peace, equality and mutual benefit, mutual respect, in accordance with international law, contributing to common development and prosperity of all countries.

The Prime Minister welcomed and asked China to deploy large projects, advanced and environment-friendly technology, representing China's development level in Vietnam; proposed the two sides strengthen cooperation to sustainably manage and use the Mekong River’s water and other shared rivers. The Prime Minister asked China, Vietnam's second largest export market, to continue opening its doors to other agricultural products of Vietnam, especially 8 kinds of fruits, pork and salanganes nests, creating favorable conditions for rice trade between the two countries; coordinating in removing obstacles in the procedures for project completion, capital surplus, slow progress and low efficiency in cooperation projects between the two sides; signing a new Railway Agreement, connecting Lao Cai with Ha Khau railways; increasing the number of direct flights between the two countries, arranging appropriate take-off and landing slots for Vietnamese airlines to fly regularly from to Beijing and Shanghai; facilitating enterprises of the two countries to effectively participate in the Chongqing-Singapore transport route.

On the sea issue, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc urged for strict implementation of the common understandings between the two countries’ leaders, “Agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of sea-related issues," full and effective implementation of DOC Declaration; and active negotiations to build a substantive and effective COC in accordance with international law to maintain peace and stability in the East Sea.

During exchanges, General Secretary and Chinese President Xi Jinping, Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang and Chinese leaders warmly welcomed Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and the Vietnamese delegation to attend the Forum, affirming that this showed that the Vietnamese Party and State of Vietnam attaches importance to the China-Vietnam relations, and this made an important contribution to the success of the Forum. They stressed that the Party and State of China set great store by the relations with Vietnam, agreed to maintain high-level contacts, strengthen political trust, and promote areas of substantial cooperation, expand people-to-people exchanges, strengthen traditional friendly relations, control disagreements, maintain peace and stability in the East Sea, and promote the China-Vietnam comprehensive and healthy strategic partnership; and support Vietnam to promote its role in multilateral mechanisms, especially when Vietnam assumes its role as ASEAN Chair in 2020.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Chinese Prime Minister Ly Khac Cuong witnessed a ceremony to exchange documents on aid, customs and cultural cooperation between the two sides. These documents will facilitating market access for Vietnam's agricultural products as well as promoting tourism between the two countries. On this occasion, the ministries and branches of the two countries signed a number of other cooperation documents on agriculture.

On the sidelines of the Forum, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc met with the President of Tajikistan, the President of the Philippines, the President of Laos, the Prime Minister of Cambodia, the Prime Minister of Singapore, the Secretary-General of the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan to discuss measures to further promote bilateral cooperation as well as enhance coordination effectiveness at multilateral fora, contributing to peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world.

On this occasion, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc received leaders of major Chinese corporations which are among the top 500 largest enterprises in the world in the fields of infrastructure-construction, energy, finance and technology.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc's visit to the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation contributed to maintaining a stable cooperation and development momentum in the Vietnam-China cooperation, affirming the goodwill and role of Vietnam in expanding cooperation and international economic connectivity for peace and prosperity in the region and the world.