China vows closer cooperation with Vietnam

Chinese top political advisor Yu Zhengsheng pledged on Sunday to step up cooperation with the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF), and enhance bilateral ties. Yu, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), made the remarks while having talks with Nguyen Thien Nhan, president of the VFF Central Committee. Calling Vietnam an important neighbor and cooperation partner of China, Yu said China attaches great importance to its relations with Vietnam and sticks to a friendly policy to the country. Last month, Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, reached important consensus with Nguyen Phu Trong, general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, on deepening bilateral comprehensive strategic cooperation in the next phase in their phone conversation. The two leaders had shaped direction for future development of China-Vietnam ties, Yu said. "We are ready to join hands with Vietnam to enhance strategic coordination, boost cooperation in various areas with special focus on maritime, land and financial cooperation, and properly settle existing problems in our relations," he said. Hailing the cooperation between the CPPCC and the VFF over the years, Yu called on closer exchanges among their special committees and local organizations, share experience in political participation and consultation, to contribute to greater development of respective country as well as China-Vietnam relations. VFF, formerly known as the Vietnam National United Front, was established in 1930, aiming to strengthen Vietnam's national solidarity. Nguyen Thien Nhan told Yu that to consolidate friendly ties with China is a priority of his country's foreign policy. Praising the remarkable achievements of cooperation between the CPPCC and the VFF, he said the VFF is committed to further cementing cooperation with the CPPCC to boost bilateral ties up to a new stage. After their talks, Yu and Nguyen Thien Nhan witnessed the signing of MOU regarding CPPCC-VFF cooperation from 2014-2019.