Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Ha Noi, Dec. 2 (VNA) -- Viet Nam and China issued a joint statement in Beijing on Dec.2.

The statement reads:

1. General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee, Nong Duc Manh, paid an official friendship visit to the People's Republic of China from Nov. 30-Dec. 4, 2001 at the invitation of the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and President of the People's Republic of China, Jiang Zemin.

General Secretary Nong Duc Manh held talks with General Secretary and President, Jiang Zemin; met with member of the Political Bureau Standing Committee and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, Li Peng; Politburo Standing Committee member and Premier, Zhu Rongji; Politburo Standing Committee member and Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Li Ruihuan; and Politburo Standing Committee member and Vice State President, Hu Jintao. The two sides informed each other of the situation in their respective Parties and countries, and exchanged views on regional and international issues of common concern. These talks took place in a cordial and friendly atmosphere.

The two sides affirmed that the visit to China by Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh was a success. The visit was an important event in relations between the two Parties and States in the early new century. It contributed to strengthening and deepening the friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the Parties and States of Viet Nam and China in the 21st century, and will have a positive and profound influence upon peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

2. The Vietnamese side highly valued the historic achievements recorded by the Communist Party and people of China over the past 80 years, and is confident that the Communist Party and people of China will realise new and still greater achievements in socialist construction imbued with Chinese characteristics. The Chinese side recognised the historic achievements gained by the Communist Party and people of Viet Nam over the past 70 years, and believes that the Communist Party and people of Viet Nam will surely win new and still greater achievements in building their socialist country for a prosperous people, a strong country and an equitable, democratic and civilized society. The two sides are determined to continue, on the basis of the reality in each country, to study and settle important theoretical and practical issues of Party and State building, thus boosting socio-economic development and social progress.

3. The two sides noted with satisfaction that since the normalisation of diplomatic relations between the two countries, exchange and cooperation in all fields between Viet Nam and China have been expanded and deepened. Viet Nam and China issued joint communiques in 1991, 1992, 1994, and 1995 and joint statements in 1999 and 2000. They have also signed a land border treaty, an agreement on the demarcation of the Bac Bo (Tonkin) Gulf, and a fishing cooperation agreement in the Tonkin Gulf. The two Parties and States have widely exchanged their experiences with the renewal process, open-door reform, Party building and State management, and theory and practice of socialist construction. Economic and commercial cooperation between the two countries has been brought to a new height. The Parties, Governments and people of Viet Nam and China are all glad to see such significant developments in the friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

4. Both sides stated that Viet Nam-China friendship is a valuable asset of the two Parties, countries and peoples. Constant reinforcement of the friendly ties and cooperation between Viet Nam and China in the new century, not only conforms to the fundamental interests of both sides, but also benefits peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world. The two sides are determined to follow the 16-word guideline of "friendly neighbourliness, comprehensive cooperation, long-term stability and future-oriented thinking", fully understanding and implementing all objectives and tasks as presented in the Joint Statement on comprehensive cooperation in the new century. By following the guideline, Viet Nam and China will elevate the dimension and quality of their friendly ties and traditional cooperation, fostering ever-lasting friendship between the two countries and peoples.

5. Both sides agreed to maintain the fine tradition of high-level exchanges between the two Parties and the two countries in order to further strengthen and develop their friendly relations and comprehensive cooperation in the new century; promote exchange and cooperation, raising the efficiency of cooperation between offices and branches of the Parties, Governments, National Assemblies, mass organizations, and localities of the two countries in political, economic, culture, and education fields; strengthen the exchange of experiences on Party building and State management between the two sides, sharing experiences on national renovation, reform and openness and Party building; promote friendly exchange in various forms between youth and children from the two countries to preserve the traditional friendship which has been cultivated by veteran revolutionaries and to ensure that the friendly ties between the two countries are passed on to the next generation.

6. Both sides held that in the new century they should continue strengthening and broadening bilateral cooperation in economic, commercial, and scientific-technical areas on the principle of equality, mutual benefits, efficiency, mutual complement, diversity of forms and common development, actively encouraging and supporting both countries' business circles to further exploit their commodity market, increasing bilateral investment and cooperation, expanding economic and technical cooperation scales and carrying out projects of highly economic and practically social efficiency.

On this occasion, both sides signed a framework agreement between the Governments of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam (SRV) and the People's Republic of China (PRC) on China's provision of soft credits to Viet Nam and an economic and technical cooperation agreement between the Governments of the SRV and the PRC; and agreed to actively urge businesses to conduct long-term cooperation in the Dac Nong aluminium bauxit project.

Viet Nam warmly congratulates China on its admission to the World Trade Organization (WTO) as a full member. China strongly supports Viet Nam's entry into the WTO.

7. Both sides agreed that the conclusion of the Viet Nam-China Land Border Treaty, the Agreement on the Demarcation of the Bac Bo (Tonkin) Gulf, and the Agreement on Fisheries Cooperation in the Bac Bo Gulf are of paramount significance, actively contributing to further promotion of friendly neighbourliness and cooperation between the two countries while strengthening regional stability. The two sides agreed to complete follow-up steps of negotiations relating to the Agreement on Fisheries Cooperation in the Bac Bo Gulf as soon as possible according to common view of the two countries' leaders and in order to make the Agreement on the Demarcation of the Bac Bo Gulf and the Agreement on Fisheries Cooperation in the Bac Bo Gulf effective at an early date. They will also actively accelerate the process of border fixing and border marker installation on the land border, making the Viet Nam-China border one of peace, friendship and durable stability.

Both sides agreed to maintain the existing mechanism of negotiation on maritime issues, persisting with peaceful talks seeking a fundamental and durable solution acceptable to both sides. Pending the settlement, in the spirit of "easy first", both sides will actively seek possibilities and measures to develop maritime cooperation in such areas as environmental protection, meteorological and hydrological forecast and natural disaster control. At the same time, the two sides will not take any action to complicate the situation or increase disputes, nor use force or threaten to use force. With regard to any differences, it is necessary to hold discussions to solve them properly with a calm and constructive attitude and in an effort not to allow these differences to affect normal development of bilateral relations.

8- The Vietnamese side stated that they recognise the People's Republic of China as the sole legitimate Government representing the whole nation and Taiwan is an inseparable territorial part of China. Viet Nam has established only non-governmental, economic, and commercial, not Governmental, ties with Taiwan. China expressed their comprehension and appreciation of Viet Nam's stance. They stressed that the Taiwan issue is completely China's internal affairs. They strongly protested those countries which have established Governmental relations, in any form, or conducted any Governmental-level exchange, with Taiwan.

9- The two sides expressed satisfaction at broad common points of view they share on regional and international issues of mutual concern. They held that peace, cooperation, development and social progress have become a global trend. The Governments and people of both Viet Nam and China earnestly aspire to a world of peace, long-lasting stability and a new world order of justice and equality, which will help all nations to develop together. The two sides strongly condemned hegemonism by political superpowers in international affairs as well as terrorism in any form. The two sides affirmed their policy of respecting cultural histories, social systems, and models of development in nations and civilisations the world over.

The two sides highly value the active role played by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, in keeping and promoting stability and development in the region. They are committed to strengthening relations of reliable partnership and neighbourliness between China and ASEAN member countries. They also pledged more efforts towards achieving long-lasting stability and prosperity in Asia, especially East Asia.

10- General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Nong Duc Manh expressed sincere thanks to the warm and friendly welcome given to him by the Communist Party, the Government, and people of China. He invited Jiang Zemin, General Secretary of the Communist Party and President of China, to visit Viet Nam sometime within the next year. His invitation was accepted with pleasure.--VNA