Vietnam 'will not cooperate' with any third country to contain China

Vietnam will not cooperate with the US and Japan to contain China, Vietnamese Ambassador to China Nguyen Van Tho said on Wednesday, four days before the 65th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties.

"Vietnam has always promoted an independent, peaceful and diverse foreign policy. The country has no reason to cooperate with another county to contain a third one," said Tho, in response to reports claiming that Vietnam has strengthened its alliance with the US in an attempt to contain China.

Speaking at a press conference at the Vietnamese Embassy in Beijing, Tho said that such a move is not in line with the foreign policy of Vietnam, nor would it serve its national interests.

"Vietnam and China will further strengthen high-level exchanges in 2015," Tho said.

He added that Sino-Vietnamese relations are among the top priorities of Vietnam's foreign policy, and that Vietnam will work to improve the bilateral ties.

Bilateral trade reached $58.5 billion in 2014, up by 16 percent over 2013, but tourism between the two countries has dropped. Tho said that he hoped more Chinese tourists will visit Vietnam in 2015.

The two countries saw relations sour in 2014 after waves of riots against Chinese firms in Vietnam triggered by disputes in the South China Sea.

As for the maritime disputes, Tho said both China and Vietnam should promote negotiation as a means for both to develop the South China Sea through cooperation.

"Public opinion in both countries should guide young people to understand history in a right way and prevent incorrect opinions from affecting the mainstream of the bilateral ties," Tho noted.