Chinese State Councilor Meets Cambodian, Lao, Vietnamese PMs

2011-12-20 Xinhua Web Editor: Guo

Visiting Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo on Monday met separately with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, Lao Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong and Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on bilateral ties and regional development.

In talks with Hun Sen, Dai said China attaches great importance to China-Cambodia friendship, and is willing to strengthen high-level exchanges and deepen political trust with Cambodia.

He urged the two sides to deepen economic cooperation and trade, shore up cooperation projects in infrastructure sector so as to benefit the two peoples.

The Cambodian prime minister expressed gratitude for the assistance China has offered in the long term, saying Cambodia wishes to strengthen traditional friendship with China, and enhance coordination in regional and international issues.

When meeting with Prime Minister Thongsing, the Chinese state councilor said this year marks the 50th anniversary of establishment of bilateral relations between China and Laos, and the two countries now face new opportunities for expanding relations.

He said the two countries need to maintain exchanges at high level, strengthen the planning of bilateral relations development, and conduct economic cooperation program in a sound way. Dai mentioned transportation, infrastructure, agriculture as sectors that need better cooperation and urged joint efforts to safeguard navigation safety on the Mekong River.

Thongsing said Laos-China cooperation has seen fruitful achievements. The country will work together with China to deepen cooperation in various fields and add new impetus to the comprehensive strategic cooperation partnership.

In talks with Prime Minister Dung, Dai noted both China and Vietnam are at a critical stage of reform and opening up. Consolidating political mutual trust and deepening practical cooperation are in the interests of both sides, he said.

The Chinese state councilor urged both countries to implement signed documents, maintain exchanges at the high level, and fully carry out the five-year development plan for economic cooperation between China and Vietnam. He also called on both sides to boost cultural exchanges, enhance amity between the two peoples, consolidate the public opinion foundation for bilateral friendship and jointly maintain peace and stability of the South China Sea.

The Vietnamese prime minister said Vietnam pays high attention to the consensus and agreements reached by leaders of the two countries on developing bilateral relations. The two sides need to expand cooperation, properly handle maritime disputes and further promote bilateral ties.

Dai arrived here Monday to attend the 4th Summit of the six-country Greater Mekong Subregion Economic Cooperation (GMS) which is to kick off Tuesday.