Hanoi (VNA) - Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha proposed Vietnam and China prioritise infrastructure cooperation, especially in the railway sector, at his meeting on June 18 with Wang Dongming, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China.
Ha, who is on a working visit to China's Yunnan province for bilateral activities and attendance at the 9th China–South Asia Expo and the 29th Kunming Import and Export Fair, affirmed Vietnam’s consistent policy of giving top priority to its relationship with China.
He suggested the two sides work closely in the time ahead to organise mutual high-level visits, including exchanges between the leaders of the two countries’ legislative bodies. He called for the early commencement of the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway line, technology transfer, training of human resources in railway operations, and the development of a railway industrial complex.
The Deputy PM also recommended the two countries to promote bilateral trade in a balanced and sustainable manner, with China continuing to open its market to more Vietnamese agricultural and aquatic products, and coordinating in developing smart border gates, cross-border economic cooperation zones, and enhancing collaboration in power grid connectivity.
At the meeting, both sides expressed their delight at the socio-economic development achievements each country has attained in recent years, and highly valued the positive momentum and outcomes in Vietnam–China relations. They especially noted the regular high-level exchanges, strong growth in trade, investment, and tourism cooperation, significant progress in strategic and transport connectivity, particularly in railways, and the vibrant locality-to-locality cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.
Ha expressed his hope that cooperation in science and technology, agriculture, and natural resources would emerge as new focal points and engines of growth in Vietnam–China relations. He urged both sides to enhance national-level collaboration on key technologies, promote cooperation in training science and technology human resources, expand cooperation in high-tech agriculture, and facilitate mutual recognition of testing and quarantine results. He also proposed stronger coordination in addressing urban air pollution, disaster risk reduction, climate change response, and environmental protection.
Emphasising the importance of people-to-people exchanges, the Deputy PM called for deeper interactions among young people, scientists, and entrepreneurs to further strengthen the firm social foundation of the bilateral relationship.
In response, Wang welcomed and endorsed Ha's proposals, reaffirming that Vietnam remains a priority in China’s neighbourhood diplomacy. He reiterated China’s steadfast support for Vietnam’s pursuit of socialism in line with its national circumstances and expressed readiness to work closely in realising high-level common perceptions, preparing for future visits and exchanges, and promoting legislative cooperation, particularly in areas such as Party building, law-making, and supervision, thereby laying a solid legal foundation for the development of China-Vietnam community with a shared future.
Wang also affirmed China’s commitment to advancing economic and trade ties, expanding imports from Vietnam, enhancing transport connectivity, and promoting high-quality investment. He also voiced support for expanding cooperation in science and technology, artificial intelligence, digital economy, environmental protection, commercial aircraft and power grid connectivity, contributing to the sustainable growth of both nations./.
