China's top diplomat Wang Yi (right) meets with Vietnam's Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang on Wednesday. Photo: fmprc.gov.cn

China and Vietnam will continue to leverage the cooperative mechanisms, coordinate efforts to advance collaboration in various fields, and propel the bilateral relationship towards the goal of building a community with a shared future between the two countries, said Wang Yi, China's top diplomat, on Wednesday during his meeting with Vietnam's Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang, who was in China to attend the seventh China-South Asia Expo.

China and Vietnam should work on making well preparations for the upcoming high-level exchanges, further deepen strategic mutual trust, collaboratively safeguard political stability and institutional security, and jointly uphold the Communist Party's ideals and beliefs as well as the socialist orientation, said Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

The seventh China-South Asia Expo kicked off Wednesday in Kunming, capital city of Southwest China's Yunnan Province. More than 30,000 exhibitors, representatives and guests from 85 countries and regions, and international organizations, are expected to attend both online and offline activities during the five-day expo.

Wang said China firmly supports ASEAN's unity and its central role in regional cooperation. China, together with ASEAN countries including Vietnam, upholds the spirit of friendly consultation and mutually beneficial cooperation, opposes interference by external forces, and safeguards peace and stability in the South China Sea and the region.

The Chinese side also looks forward to positive outcomes from a series of leaders' meetings on East Asia cooperation led by ASEAN countries through joint efforts, he continued.

Tran Luu Quang, Vietnam's Deputy Prime Minister, remarked that under the strategic guidance of leaders from both parties and countries, the Vietnam-China relationship has steadily advanced, reaching new heights of friendship and cooperation and embracing fresh opportunities.

China's significance and distinctiveness to Vietnam are unparalleled; it stands as the sole nation with Vietnam's diplomatic priorities, and the development of relations with China remains a foremost priority in Vietnam's foreign policy, Tran added.

Vietnam treasures peace and sincerely appreciates the selfless assistance that China has provided for Vietnam's independence and development, Tran said, highlighting that Vietnam opposes and remains vigilant against foreign interference, and the country is committed to strengthening high-level exchanges and deepening practical cooperation with China across various domains.

Vietnam is willing to play its rightful role within ASEAN, collectively safeguard the peace and stability of the South China Sea, and achieve mutual development, Tran said.

Global Times