Ling Dequan, a researcher at the Xinhua News Agency’s Centre for World Affairs Studies (Photo: VNA) He made the remark in an interview with VietnamNews Agency correspondents in Beijing on the occasion of President Tran DaiQuang’s State visit to China from May 11-15.
Ling Dequan, who used to serve as head ofXinhua’s bureau in Vietnam, affirmed that with the efforts of the two sides,the bilateral traditional friendship has been further consolidated withincreasing political trust, fruitful cooperation, and more exciting people-to-peopleexchanges.
Economic and trade collaboration has always beena crucial part in the bilateral relations, he said, noting that China has beenthe biggest trade partner of Vietnam for 13 consecutive years.
In 2016, Vietnam surpassed Malaysia to becomethe largest trade partner of China in ASEAN with two-way trade hitting 98.2billion USD (according to China’s statistics).
The trade imbalance between the two countrieshas been narrowing. Vietnam’s exports to China grew by over 20 percent in 2016and 40 percent in the first quarter of 2017. The bilateral trade structure isgradually moving towards balance, he said.
Ling also highlighted investment as an importantfield in the bilateral economic ties.
Along with the development of the two countries’relations, China’s investment in Vietnam increased quite rapidly, taking thecountry from the ninth to eighth position in 2016 among countries andterritories investing in Vietnam.
In the first quarter of 2017, China leaped tothe third place out of the total 38 countries and territories investing inVietnam.
The researcher expressed his belief that withthe regular visits of the two countries’ Party and State top leaders, Vietnamand China will elevate the bilateral comprehensive strategic cooperative partnershipto a new height, bringing benefits for their peoples.-VNA
VNA
