China's top political advisor wraps up visit to Vietnam

Yu Zhengsheng (2nd L front), a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, attends the opening ceremony of the Confucius Institute in Hanoi University in Hanoi, capital of Vietnam, Dec 27, 2014. Yu had an official visit to Vietnam from Dec 25 to 27. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng)

China's top political advisor Yu Zhengsheng wrapped up his visit to Vietnam on Saturday, during which he agreed with the Vietnamese leaders to enhance mutual trust and properly settle maritime disputes through negotiations.

During his three-day stay in Hanoi, Yu, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), met with General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Nguyen Phu Trong, Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, and Standing Secretary of the Secretariat of the CPV Central Committee Le Hong Anh, respectively.

Yu also held talks with Nguyen Thien Nhan, chairman of Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee.

"My current visit to Vietnam, commissioned by the CPC Central Committee and General Secretary Xi Jinping, aims to enhance mutual trust, build consensus and boost progress of China-Vietnam relations in a correct path," he said.

Friendly cooperation remains the mainstream of China-Vietnam relations since the forging of diplomatic ties 65 years ago, he said, adding high-level exchanges between the two parties have played an irreplaceable role in the development of bilateral ties.

He proposed both sides enhance political trust and build consensus, strengthen guidance in public opinion, properly handle their maritime disputes, and promote pragmatic cooperation in various areas.

"The maritime issue is highly complicated and sensitive, which requires negotiations to manage and control differences," Yu said.

"Megaphone diplomacy can only trigger volatility of the public opinion, which should be avoided by both sides," he added.

Yu vowed to make joint efforts with Vietnam to celebrate the 65th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties next year, in order to lay a solid foundation for future development of relations.

"The CPPCC is willing to work closely with the VFF to earnestly fulfill the MoU regarding our cooperation from 2014-2019," he said.

Trong said Vietnam pays close attention to China's economic and social development, and considers it as Vietnam's opportunity.

The CPV admires the CPC's progress in party building and anti- corruption campaign, Trong said, calling on the two parties to share experience in governance, and boost high-level exchange of visits and cooperation in various areas.

President Sang told Yu that Vietnam always gives priority of its foreign policy to its comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership with China, vowing joint efforts with China to cement political trust and pragmatic cooperation.

Prime Minister Dung said Vietnam is ready to join hands with China to properly settle maritime disputes in a candid and friendly spirit, and promote substantial progress in their negotiations regarding the maritime demarcation of the bay mouth of Beibu Gulf.

During his stay, Yu visited the late Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and witnessed the launch of a Confucius Institute at Hanoi University.