Turbulent times call for deeper cooperation

That China-Vietnam relations are based on a solid foundation was evident at the 11th meeting of the China-Vietnam Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation, which the two countries co-chaired in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on Sunday.

They also pledged to expand and deepen cooperation, and reiterated that they attach great importance to their long-standing friendship and high-level exchanges for long-term and strategic development, especially since 2017, which has led to practical cooperation in dealing with maritime disputes.

On the economic front, China has been Vietnam's largest trade partner for 13 consecutive years, and among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations members, Vietnam is China's largest trade partner. China is also the largest export market for Vietnam. In the first half of 2018, Vietnam's exports to China increased 37.4 percent, improving its trade imbalance with China.