In this Sept 21, 2021 photo, President Xi Jinping addresses the general debate of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly via video in Beijing. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

BEIJING - General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese President Xi Jinping said Friday that it is the most fundamental common strategic interest of China and Vietnam to safeguard the security of their Communist parties' governance and that of their socialist systems.

Xi made the remarks in a telephone conversation with General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong.

Xi said he was glad to talk on the phone with Trong ahead of China's National Day, adding that so far this year, he and Trong have maintained close communication by multiple means, helping the two parties and countries deepen strategic mutual trust and consolidate traditional friendship, and jointly steering bilateral relations toward sustained and steady progress under new circumstances.

The Chinese side firmly supports General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong in leading the CPV and the Vietnamese people to advance on the socialist path suited to Vietnam's national conditions and realize the development goals set at the CPV's 13th national congress, President Xi Jinping said

Facing the complicated and combined impacts of global changes and a pandemic both unseen in a century, China and Vietnam share many common interests and concerns, Xi noted.

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He suggested that the two sides maintain the right direction, strengthen solidarity and cooperation, continuously develop the socialist cause, earnestly safeguard the fundamental interests of the two parties, countries and nations, and make positive contributions to regional and global peace and development.

The Chinese side firmly supports Trong in leading the CPV and the Vietnamese people to advance on the socialist path suited to Vietnam's national conditions and realize the development goals set at the CPV's 13th national congress, Xi said.

The two sides, he added, should conduct institutionalized exchanges in such areas as theoretical discussions, cadre training and cooperation between local party committees, deepen communication and mutual learning between counterpart departments of the two parties and countries, and strengthen the guidance of public opinion.

They should also accelerate the coordination of their development strategies, create new bright spots in bilateral cooperation, and bring the people in both countries a greater sense of fulfillment, Xi said, adding that China firmly supports the Vietnamese side in defeating COVID-19 and promoting economic and social development.

Meanwhile, they need to enhance coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs, defend peace and stability in the South China Sea, oppose politicization of COVID-19 origins tracing, practice true multilateralism, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, Xi added. 

For his part, Trong said that relations between the two parties and countries now enjoy a good momentum, featuring close high-level exchanges and fast-growing economic and trade cooperation.

Vietnam attaches great importance to the development of the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and always treats it as a top priority, he said, adding that his country is grateful for China's valuable support and assistance for Vietnam's fight against the pandemic and restoration of economic and social development.

The CPV, he said, is willing to work with the CPC to strengthen inter-party exchanges, enhance political mutual trust, and deepen experience sharing on party and state governance.

READ MORE: Vietnam, China vow to strengthen unity, boost ties 

China, Tonga to expand Belt and Road cooperation

Xi on Friday also held a phone conversation with Tonga's King Tupou VI, during which he said China is ready to expand cooperation with Tonga in various fields within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.

In a separate phone conversation with Tonga's King Tupou VI China will provide Tonga with economic and technological assistance without political strings attached, President Xi Jinping said

China will provide Tonga with economic and technological assistance without political strings attached, Xi said.

Facing the complicated and combined impacts of global changes unseen in a century and the pandemic, the two countries need to strengthen solidarity, coordination and cooperation, lift their comprehensive strategic partnership to new levels, and jointly build a community with a shared future for mankind, Xi said.

READ MORE: Beijing, Pacific island nations eye greater cooperation

He stressed that China will continue to implement agritech cooperation projects and provide necessary assistance for Tonga's agricultural and fishery products to enter the Chinese market.

China welcomes Tongan enterprises to actively participate in the China International Import Expo and stands ready to continue to provide assistance within its capacity for Tonga's fight against the pandemic, Xi said.

He stressed that China has been actively carrying out win-win cooperation with Pacific Island countries, and is willing to share poverty reduction experience and deepen development cooperation with Tonga and other Pacific Island countries, and help Pacific Island countries better cope with major public health incidents and natural disasters.

China, he added, will set up a China-Pacific Island countries cooperation center of poverty reduction and development, and prepare for building a China-Pacific Island countries reserve of emergency supplies.

China understands the special concerns of small island developing states on climate change and will support Pacific Island countries in improving their capability to cope with climate change, Xi said.

Tonga, Tupou VI said, sticks to independence and self-reliance, steadfastly upholds the one-China policy, and will continue to firmly support China on issues concerning China's core interests.

He added that Tonga supports Pacific Island countries in strengthening ties with China and is ready to play a positive role in this regard.

Cooperation with Pacific island countries

In a separate phone call with Manasseh Sogavare, prime minister of Solomon Islands, Xi said China is ready to share its experience in poverty reduction and deepen development cooperation with the Solomon Islands and other Pacific island countries

China is ready to help Pacific island countries find a development path of poverty reduction suited to their own national conditions, so that they can better cope with major public health events and natural disasters, and enhance the capacity to cope with climate change, said Xi

China is ready to help Pacific island countries find a development path of poverty reduction suited to their own national conditions, so that they can better cope with major public health events and natural disasters, and enhance the capacity to cope with climate change, said Xi.

Since the establishment of diplomatic ties two years ago, bilateral relations between China and Solomon Islands have been developing vigorously, bringing tangible benefits to the people of two sides, Xi stressed.

READ MORE: Solomon Islands' PM says China ties to boost development

China, Xi said, respects Solomon Islands' independent exploration of a development path suited to its national conditions and supports the efforts of the people of Solomon Islands to pursue a better life.

China highly appreciates Solomon Islands' firm adherence to the one-China policy and stands ready to work with Solomon Islands to push bilateral relations to a higher level, Xi said.

Xi pointed out that China is willing to strengthen inter-party exchanges with Solomon Islands, promote synergy between the joint building of the Belt and Road Initiative and Solomon Islands' development plan, deepen practical cooperation in various fields, and welcome Solomon Islands to use the China International Import Expo and other platforms for promotion of competitive products and expand exports to China.

China, Xi said, is ready to continue to provide Solomon Islands with economic and technical assistance without any political strings attached as well as help within its capacity to Solomon Islands' fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. 

For his part, Sogavare said Solomon Islands is ready to learn from China's development experience, and work with China to strengthen win-win cooperation in various fields and lift bilateral relations to higher levels.