In a meeting with President Xi Jinping in Tianjin today, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh thanked China for sending a high-ranking delegation and military personnel to the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of South Vietnam, National Reunification Day, and the 80th anniversary of Vietnam's National Day, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The prime minister commended the theme of this year's Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, affirming Vietnam's willingness to coordinate with China and other countries in implementing multilateralism, promoting sustainable development, and contributing to resolving major international and regional issues.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Tianjin on the afternoon of 31/8. Photo: TTXVN

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Tianjin on the afternoon of 31/8. Photo: TTXVN

Prime Minister Chinh emphasized that Vietnam always considers developing relations with China an objective requirement, a strategic and natural choice, and a top priority in its foreign policy. He expressed Vietnam's readiness to continue effectively implementing the shared perceptions between the two general secretaries, translating strategic orientations in the relationship into tangible actions that bring practical benefits to the people of both countries.

The two sides agreed to strengthen the relationship between the two parties and countries, enhance strategic exchanges, and deploy comprehensive cooperation across various fields, including connecting the two economies, especially railways. They also agreed to increase cooperation in science, technology, and innovation.

The prime minister proposed that the two sides maintain flexible exchanges and contacts between the two general secretaries and further implement the pillar of defense and security cooperation, promptly deploying specific military trade projects.

He specifically urged the prompt organization of the first meeting of the Vietnam-China Railway Cooperation Joint Committee, including Vietnam in the priority list for Asia-Pacific regional cooperation in railway industry development. He also pushed for the completion of the Feasibility Report and the start of negotiations on the Framework Agreement on concessional loans for projects, providing aid for railway human resource training, and assisting Vietnam in developing a railway industry complex.

The prime minister proposed promoting more substantial cooperation in science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation, with China supporting Vietnam in technology transfer, institution building, and infrastructure development, especially in technology services, e-commerce, and AI development for education, healthcare, transportation, and agriculture.

He requested that China direct Tsinghua University to provide doctoral scholarships in AI for Vietnam, and offer Vietnam a large-scale human resource training program in key areas such as AI, semiconductors, quantum computing, and low-Earth orbit satellites.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Tianjin on the afternoon of 31/8. Photo: TTXVN

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Tianjin on the afternoon of 31/8. Photo: TTXVN

Prime Minister Chinh requested that China further expand imports of Vietnam's high-quality agricultural products, promptly sign quarantine protocols for Vietnamese grapefruit, caught aquatic products, and meat products. He also urged the early approval of the list of applications for durian growing area codes, expansion of the smart border gate model, and negotiation of a model for building cross-border economic cooperation zones.

The prime minister expressed his hope for enhanced comprehensive energy cooperation, increasing the capacity and output of electricity exported to Vietnam, the early signing of a memorandum of understanding on strengthening Vietnam-China electricity connectivity, and implementing electricity trading at the 500 KV voltage level.

President Xi Jinping extended greetings to General Secretary To Lam and other Vietnamese leaders, congratulating Vietnam on the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day (2/9).

President Xi suggested focusing on connecting development strategies and transport infrastructure, especially railways. He agreed to organize the first meeting of the Joint Committee for Railway Cooperation soon, steadily promote the Feasibility Study Report for the Lao Cai-Hanoi-Hai Phong railway project, and actively research cooperation on capital mobilization, loans, and railway human resource training. He also encouraged accelerating the construction of smart border gates and cross-border economic cooperation zones.

The two sides discussed maritime issues, agreeing to continue seriously implementing the shared perceptions of the two countries' top leaders on controlling and better resolving disagreements, creating and maintaining a peaceful, cooperative, and development-oriented environment in the region.

The 2025 SCO Summit, held in Tianjin, is expected to be attended by more than 20 leaders, including 10 official SCO members such as President Xi Jinping; Russian President Vladimir Putin; Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi; observer countries, dialogue partner countries; and some countries attending as guests of the host country and leaders of some international organizations.

The SCO, established in 2001 in Shanghai, is a Eurasian political, economic, and security organization. Its six original members were Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. India and Pakistan joined the SCO in 2017, Iran in 2023, and Belarus in 2024.

Vu Hoang