In his meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh congratulated China on the successful conclusion of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee and the formulation of the 15th Five-Year Plan, which outlines a path toward high-quality development. He also shared recent theoretical and practical achievements of Vietnam and briefed on preparations for the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

Both leaders commended the positive and comprehensive development of Vietnam-China relations.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh proposed that the two countries fully utilize their coordination mechanisms and strategic dialogue platforms, and elevate cooperation pillars, particularly in defense and security. He emphasized the significance of railway cooperation for both countries’ development and urged both sides to prioritize this area by enhancing the role of the Vietnam-China Joint Committee on Railway Cooperation. He also called on China to support Vietnam in accessing concessional loans, developing human resources in the railway sector, and jointly building an industrial railway complex.

The two leaders exchanged views on tariff-related policies and agreed on concrete measures to promote a more balanced and healthy economic-trade relationship.

Prime Minister Chinh urged China to continue importing high-quality Vietnamese agricultural products, expand the smart border gate model, and actively explore cross-border economic cooperation. He also proposed enhanced power grid linkage and faster implementation of Chinese aid projects in Vietnam.

Premier Li Qiang affirmed that the Chinese State Council is willing to work closely with the Vietnamese Government to deepen substantive cooperation, especially in high-quality trade, investment, and railway infrastructure connectivity.

The two sides held candid, sincere, and constructive discussions on maritime issues in accordance with high-level common understandings on managing and resolving differences, contributing to peace, stability, and development in the region and beyond.

In a separate meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed delight over more than 30 years of bilateral relations, particularly since the two countries upgraded their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

President Lee affirmed that South Korea regards Vietnam as a key partner in its regional foreign policy and is ready to accompany Vietnam in its future development journey.

The two leaders agreed to expand practical cooperation in defense and security, boost economic, trade, and investment ties, and turn science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation into new pillars of the relationship. They also pledged to deepen cooperation in labor, culture, tourism, and local exchanges.

Both sides committed to closer collaboration on regional and international issues of mutual concern. Vietnam expressed its support for South Korea in successfully hosting the APEC High-Level Forum in 2025, while South Korea pledged to share experience and support Vietnam in organizing the 2027 APEC Year.

During the meeting with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, the two leaders agreed to minimize technical barriers to trade.

President Prabowo acknowledged Vietnam’s efforts and voiced support for the European Union’s early removal of the yellow card imposed on Vietnam for illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

They also agreed to strengthen cooperation in the fisheries sector and effectively implement the 2024 memorandum of understanding on fisheries cooperation, aiming for sustainable fisheries and marine economic development.

In another meeting with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh noted that 2025 is a milestone year marking 50 years of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and New Zealand, as well as ASEAN-New Zealand ties. The two countries also recently upgraded their partnership to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Prime Minister Luxon praised Vietnam’s active role as the ASEAN-New Zealand coordinating country for 2024-2027 and its contribution to the success of the ASEAN-New Zealand commemorative summit. He emphasized that Vietnam is New Zealand’s leading partner in the region and reaffirmed New Zealand’s willingness to support Vietnam in priority development areas.

The two leaders agreed to expedite the completion and signing of an action plan for implementing the Vietnam-New Zealand Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for 2025-2030, establishing clear timelines and resource allocations for specific cooperation fields.

They also discussed breakthrough measures to raise bilateral trade to USD 3 billion by 2026. Prime Minister Chinh thanked New Zealand for its official development assistance and requested continued support for English language training and professional development for central and local government officials in Vietnam.

Tran Thuong