Lao Cai, Yunnan seek sustainable border development

The international border gate of Lao Cai province. (Photo: laocai.gov.vn)

Hanoi (VNA) – Solutions to achieve sustainable development for border areas of Vietnam’s Lao Cai and China’s Yunnan provinces were the focus of a workshop held in Hanoi in April 18.

President of the Vietnam Social Science Academy Nguyen Quang Thuan said the Lao Cai-Yunnan border area has many advantages as the key gate for linkages between Vietnam’s northern mountainous region and China’s southwest region.

Dr. Nguyen Dinh Liem from the Institute of China Research laid stress on the area’s role as the bridge of the Two Corridors-One Belt, connecting the markets of Vietnam, China and the ASEAN.

Lao Cai and Yunnan are concentrating their resources on building the Lao Cai-Hekou international border gates to meet the demands of goods transit between Vietnam, China and ASEAN countries.

At the same time, the two localities are investing in expanding their border economic zones. The Kim Thanh trade-industrial economic zone at Lao Cao border gate and the Beishan economic zone at Hekou are gradually developed into a cross-border economic zone to attract more investment and trade.

Participants shared their ideas on how to develop the border area, while calling on the State to assist with the development through suitable policies.

Lao Cai and Yunnan share 184km of border line, with 131km along rivers.-VNA