(Source: CGTN)

Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi on Monday met with Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh at the 10th meeting of the China-Vietnam steering committee on cooperation.

Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi and Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh co-chair the 10th meeting of the China-Vietnam steering committee on cooperation in Beijing, capital of China, April 17, 2017. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling)

Steady growth in cooperation between China and Vietnam. State Councilor Yang Jiechi noted that since their last meeting, state leaders of both countries had remained in close contact, with cooperation in various fields having been strengthened. Yang called for both parties to maintain this forward momentum.

"Both countries should make joint efforts, to ensure the successful state visits of both leaders this year, and to deepen pragmatic cooperation," Yang said.

Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi (R) and Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh co-chair the 10th meeting of the China-Vietnam steering committee on cooperation in Beijing, capital of China, April 17, 2017. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling)

Deputy Prime Minister Pham said the Vietnamese government greatly values its strategic cooperation with China, adding that Vietnam is willing to strengthen strategic communication and enhance political mutual trust with its northern neighbor.

"Vietnam attaches great importance to its relations with China, and we are happy to see that the comprehensive strategic partnership has been strengthened thanks to joint efforts from both sides," Pham said.

Yang and Pham agreed that China and Vietnam would continue implementing the consensus reached by the state leaders of both countries. This includes pushing forward with both the "Belt and Road" initiative, and the "Two Corridors and One Circle" strategy, as well as maintaining maritime peace and stability.

Despite differences of opinion on certain issues, relations between China and Vietnam have witnessed great improvements on multiple levels. The two countries will look to continue expanding mutually beneficial cooperation to ensure sound and stable ties.