On July 21, 2011, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi met with Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Pham Gia Khiem on the sidelines of series of foreign ministers' meetings of ASEAN Regional Forum in Bali, Indonesia.
China and Vietnam have established a comprehensive strategic partnership, which is worth cherishing, said Yang. He said China attaches great importance to its relations with Vietnam and hopes to work with Vietnam to keep bilateral ties on the right track. He proposed the two countries maintain high-level exchanges, conduct frank exchange of views, cement the public opinion basis and jointly boost China-ASEAN strategic partnership to a new height.
As to the South China Sea issue, Yang said the two sides should properly address maritime dispute through negotiations from the perspective of bilateral relations and regional stability. He said the two countries should also actively seek solutions to avoid internationalizing and complicating the South China Sea issue. Yang said he appreciated the agreement reached at the China-ASEAN Senior Officials' Meeting on the guidelines of implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), adding that he hopes all the parties can take practical actions to promote pragmatic maritime cooperation.
The Vietnamese foreign minister said the bilateral relations have maintained positive development in recent years and the Vietnamese side will further enhance high-level exchanges and cooperation with China. He appreciated the help and support that China had provided and cherished the traditional relationship between Vietnam and China. Vietnam hopes to properly settle maritime issues with China through peaceful negotiations and strive to reach consensus with China as soon as possible, he said. Vietnam welcomes the agreement on the guidelines of implementing the DOC, added the foreign minister.