High-level interaction to boost political trust between China, Vietnam

China's Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli (L) shakes hands with Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung before their meeting at the Government Office in Hanoi, July 16, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

BEIJING - China and Vietnam will see a fresh impetus injected into bilateral ties as frequent high-level exchanges of visits will further boost political trust.

Chinese Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli kicked off an official visit to Vietnam on Thursday at the invitation of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

Three months before, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong concluded his visit to China, during which the Vietnamese side looked forward to more interaction between the leaders of both countries so as to enhance political trust.

The latest stroke of top-level diplomacy between Beijing and Hanoi sends out a clear message that frequent exchanges and deepened understanding will definitely cement the development of China-Vietnam relations.

China and Vietnam are friendly neighbors linked by mountains and rivers. Over the 65 years since their diplomatic relations were established, the two countries have put historical woes behind them and joined hands to embrace development opportunities and face common challenges.

With a common border, similar culture and high economic complementarity, the two countries have conducted mutually beneficial cooperation, which has produced fruitful results and brought tangible benefits to both peoples.

However, the neighbors still have differences with regard to the South China Sea issue. But tension at sea is not the whole picture for the China-Vietnam relationship.

Fortunately, past disputes have been resolved without damage to ties in the long term. Just as Chinese President Xi Jinping has said, the two countries should increase high-level interaction to find new solutions to their problems.

The exchange of visits demonstrates that both China and Vietnam are willing and have the capability to properly deal with their differences and keep their relationship on the right track.

Therefore, it is in the best interest of the two nations, especially Vietnam, to enhance mutual political trust and understanding instead of aggravating differences.