China to strengthen cooperation with Vietnam: FM

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Monday that China is willing to strengthen cooperation with Vietnam.

The development of China-Vietnam relations maintains momentum and China attaches great importance to its ties with Vietnam, Wang told Vietnamese Deputy Prime Miniser and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh in a telephone conversation.

Wang said that leaders of the two countries have reached consensus on comprehensively carrying forward the strategic partnership between the two countries with pledges to promote maritime, land and financial cooperation.

He said China is willing to work with Vietnam to implement the leaders' consensus and enhance high-level exchanges.

China is also willing to work with Vietnam to prepare for the seventh meeting of the China-Vietnam steering committee on cooperation, to make the first round of talks of the working group for joint maritime development successful, and to push for the early start of joint investigation in sea waters out of the mouth of Beibu Bay in a bid to make substantial progress in joint maritime development.

Minh said that he agreed with Wang. Vietnam is willing to work with China to further promote bilateral relations in the coming year, he said.

The two officials also exchanged views on regional issues including Japan.