Li says China will seek closer partnership with Vietnam

China is willing to make joint efforts to develop industrial and trade cooperation for closer bilateral partnership with Vietnam, Premier Li Keqiang said.

Li made the remarks when meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on the sidelines of the 12th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit in Brussels on Thursday.

Li said China stands ready to work with Vietnam on the basis of top-level consensus to enhance production capacity cooperation that meets environmental standards and benefits Vietnam's industrialization process. He urged that the two countries should expand bilateral trade in a balanced and sustainable way, promote bilateral friendship and communication at all levels.

He pointed out that the two countries also need to keep the big picture in mind and properly handle maritime issues jointly, safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea as well as in the region.

Noting that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the China-Vietnam comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, Li said China will work with Vietnam to further deepen ties and cooperation.

Vietnam and China are good brothers and comprehensive strategic cooperative partners, said the Vietnamese prime minister. He said that Vietnam will work with China to implement the consensus reached by leaders of the two countries and the two parties, keep balanced growth of bilateral trade, and facilitate free trade.

He also said that his country welcomes Chinese enterprises to build

industrial parks in Vietnam, adding that Vietnam is willing to expand cooperation with China in capacity, green energy, transportation, agriculture and tourism.

Contact the writer at zhangyue@chinadaily.com.cn