The state-level visit to China by State President Truong Tan Sang from June 19-21, 2012 drew special attention from the public both at home and abroad as it not only showed the special relationship between the two countries but also had influences on the current common situation in the region, including the East Sea issue.
This was the first-ever visit made by President Sang as Head of State and the first state-level visit by a high-ranking Vietnamese leader to China since the host country changed leadership. The visit aimed to reinforce political trust, friendship and cooperation between the two Parties and States. It helped chart the future course for the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperation partnership, for the development of the two countries, and for peace, stability and development in the region. It also provided a chance for the two countries’ leaders to frankly exchange views on issues, including the East Sea issue.
Therefore, this visit by State President Truong Tan Sang was highly appreciated by the Chinese leaders that was approved by the welcoming ceremony at the highest level for a state leader with a 21 gun salute and a forest of flowers and flags.
Major newspapers in China covered the welcoming ceremony to President Truong Tan Sang at the Great Hall in Beijing as well as the talks between President Sang and his Chinese counterpart Xin Jinping. Regarding the special welcoming ceremony, Prof. Gu Yuan Yang from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that he saw an image of children wearing pioneer’s ties in the welcoming ceremony that he had not seen for a long time in Chinese diplomatic rituals. That showed the fact that China attaches much importance to the relationship with Vietnam.
During this visit, State President Truong Tan sang had talks with Party General Secretary, State President Xi Jinping , met with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress Zhang Dejiang, and had many other important activities.
Therefore, this visit by State President Truong Tan Sang was highly appreciated by the Chinese leaders that was approved by the welcoming ceremony at the highest level for a state leader with a 21 gun salute and a forest of flowers and flags.
Major newspapers in China covered the welcoming ceremony to President Truong Tan Sang at the Great Hall in Beijing as well as the talks between President Sang and his Chinese counterpart Xin Jinping. Regarding the special welcoming ceremony, Prof. Gu Yuan Yang from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that he saw an image of children wearing pioneer’s ties in the welcoming ceremony that he had not seen for a long time in Chinese diplomatic rituals. That showed the fact that China attaches much importance to the relationship with Vietnam.
During this visit, State President Truong Tan sang had talks with Party General Secretary, State President Xi Jinping , met with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress Zhang Dejiang, and had many other important activities.
Party General Secretary and Chinese President Xi Jinping receives State President Truong Tan Sang.
Photo: Nguyen Khang – VNA
The official welcoming ceremony to State President Truong Tan Sang is held at the highest level for a state leader.
Photo: Nguyen Khang – VNA
The talk between Party General Secretary and State President of China Xi Jinping and State President Truong Tan Sang.
Photo: Nguyen Khang – VNA
The two countries’ leaders witness the signing of the 4th amendment to an agreement between Vietnam Oil and Gas Corporation (PetroVietnam) and China National Offshore Oil Corporation ( CNO OC) on the joint exploration
in agreed offshore areas in the Gulf of Tonkin . Photo: Nguyen Khang – VNA
The outline of agreed offshore areas in the Gulf of Tonkin for joint exploration. Photo: VNA
The signing of an agreement between Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) and China’s Ministry of Agriculture on the establishment of a hotline on unexpected incidences in fishing operations at sea. Photo: Nguyen Khang – VNA
State President Truong Tan Sang talks with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. Photo: Nguyen Khang – VNA
State President Truong Tan Sang meets Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress
Zhang Dejiang. Photo: Nguyen Khang – VNA
On this occasion, the two sides signed 10 important cooperative documents in different fields, including documents that both chart the future of the bilateral relationship and devise specific steps for cooperation and development in fields to further deepen the Viet Nam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership. In terms of economics, the two sides agreed to raise the two-way trade turnover to 60 billion USD by 2015 ahead of the schedule.
Regarding the East Sea issue, the two leaders spent much time exchanging views in a friendly, straightforward manner with mutual respect. The two sides reached consensus that the two Parties and States should maintain contacts and dialogues on this issue, settling disputes by peaceful measures based on international law, seeking basic and long-term solutions acceptable to both sides and solving arising issues satisfactorily. The two sides affirmed to strictly implement the agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of sea-related issues between Vietnam and China. It is an important document signed by the two countries in October 2011 that includes contents on basic principles to solve disputes in the seas, such as respecting fully limitative evidence and consider other related factors, based on international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and implementing comprehensively and effectively the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC).
The two sides signed “the 4th amendment to an agreement between Vietnam Oil and Gas Corporation (PetroVietnam) and China National Offshore Oil Corporation ( CNO OC) on the joint exploration in agreed offshore areas in the Gulf of Tonkin .
In terms of fishing, the two sides reached broad common perceptions on the necessity of coordination to settle satisfactorily the fishing issue, implementing effective measures to support fishing activities, treating fishermen humanely, suitable to the bilateral relationship as well as international law and norms. One of the specific results is the signing of an agreement on the establishment of a hotline dealing with unexpectedly arising matters relating to sea fishing that together with the hotline between the two foreign ministries and a direct telephone between the two defence ministries are concrete measures for the two sides’ relevant bodies to contact, exchange and coordinate to solve arising issues.
Regarding the East Sea issue, the two leaders spent much time exchanging views in a friendly, straightforward manner with mutual respect. The two sides reached consensus that the two Parties and States should maintain contacts and dialogues on this issue, settling disputes by peaceful measures based on international law, seeking basic and long-term solutions acceptable to both sides and solving arising issues satisfactorily. The two sides affirmed to strictly implement the agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of sea-related issues between Vietnam and China. It is an important document signed by the two countries in October 2011 that includes contents on basic principles to solve disputes in the seas, such as respecting fully limitative evidence and consider other related factors, based on international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and implementing comprehensively and effectively the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC).
The two sides signed “the 4th amendment to an agreement between Vietnam Oil and Gas Corporation (PetroVietnam) and China National Offshore Oil Corporation ( CNO OC) on the joint exploration in agreed offshore areas in the Gulf of Tonkin .
In terms of fishing, the two sides reached broad common perceptions on the necessity of coordination to settle satisfactorily the fishing issue, implementing effective measures to support fishing activities, treating fishermen humanely, suitable to the bilateral relationship as well as international law and norms. One of the specific results is the signing of an agreement on the establishment of a hotline dealing with unexpectedly arising matters relating to sea fishing that together with the hotline between the two foreign ministries and a direct telephone between the two defence ministries are concrete measures for the two sides’ relevant bodies to contact, exchange and coordinate to solve arising issues.
State President Truong Tan Sang had a meeting with Hu Chunhua,
Secretary of the Guangdong Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China. Photo: Nguyen Khang - VNA
State President Truong Tan Sang meets with Chinese friends who helped Vietnam
during the resistance wars for national defence and construction. Photo: Nguyen Khang – VNA
State President Truong Tan Sang visits the Beijing Urban Planning Exhibition Centre. Photo: Nguyen Khang – VNA
State President Truong Tan Sang visits the relic site of the headquarters of the Vietnam Youth Revolutionary League
in Guangzhou. Photo: Nguyen Khang – VNA
State President Truong Tan Sang lays flowers at the grave of Vietnamese martyr Pham Hong Thai
at the Huang Hua Gang Memorial Park in Guangzhou City. Photo: Nguyen Khang – VNA
State President Truong Tan Sang meets with the overseas Vietnamese community. Photo: Nguyen Khang – VNA
In general, the achievements reached during the visit to China by State President Truong Tan Sang was of great significance on further deepening the bilateral friendship and making a contribution to peace, stability and development in the region.
Story: VNP - Photos: VNA
