Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (left) and Chinese Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping at the opening ceremony of the expo. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s trip to China to attendthe first China International Import Expo (CIIE) will help enhanceVietnam-China relations and drive economic and trade ties between the twocountries forward, Deputy Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung has said.
Hemade the statement following the PM’s tour from November 4-5 for one of China’smost important diplomatic events in 2018, through which the country wants toextend its message of open markets to the world.
Whilein China, PM Phuc met with party and state leaders and officials of ministries,agencies and localities of China to talk about Vietnam’s priorities indevelopment and international integration, as well as cooperation between thetwo countries, Trung said.
Thehost country is the world’s second biggest economy and the biggest manufacturerand exporter, he said, adding it is also the leading trade partner of 128 countriesand contributes about 30 percent to global GDP.
Chinais now Vietnam’s biggest trade partner while Vietnam is China’s largest tradepartner in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the eighth largestworldwide.
In2017, two-way trade reached 93.7 billion USD, up 30.2 percent year-on-year,making up about a quarter of Vietnam’s total export-import value.
Chinais the biggest importer of Vietnam’s farm produce and seafood, he said, citingVietnam’s agro-forestry-fishery export revenue to China at 29.6 billion USD inthe first nine months of this year, a year-on-year rise of 10 percent.
However,the deputy minister stressed, there remain limitations in bilateral economicand trade ties, such as Vietnam’s high trade deficit at 22.8 billion USD in2017, along with smuggling, tax evasion and low-quality products.
Giventhis, the PM’s trip aims to take advantage of China’s economic potential andbig market, boost exports to the country, improve the efficiency of economicand trade collaboration and reduce the trade deficit.
Additionally,it is expected to help attract international investment and promote Vietnam’s economy,investment and tourism, Trung noted.
Apartfrom economic significance, the tour has contributed to enhancing politicaltrust and friendship between Vietnam and China.
Duringthe event, leaders of the two countries discussed plans to step up bilateralcooperation across fields, the deputy minister said.
Atthe meeting with Mayor of Shanghai Ying Yong, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phucsuggested the city expand its cooperation with Vietnamese ministries, sectorsand localities.
Forhis part, Ying Yong stated that Shanghai attaches importance to boostingcollaboration with Vietnam, and to working with Vietnamese ministries, sectorsand localities in implementing deals reached by high-ranking leaders.
Hestressed the necessity of increasing delegation exchanges and reinforcing jointwork to boost the Vietnam – China comprehensive strategic cooperativepartnership.
Thetrip has generated a driving force for cooperation between the two countries,particularly in economy and trade.
GeneralSecretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and State PresidentXi Jinping agreed with PM Phuc’s proposals and affirmed China will devisepolicies and measures to boost bilateral trade toward stable growth, helpVietnam ease the trade deficit and facilitate the expansion of markets and ofcooperation and distribution channels for Vietnamese goods, particularly farmproduce favoured by Chinese consumers like fruit, fishery products, pork andmilk.
ShanghaiMayor Ying Yong has pledged to support and offer incentives for Vietnamesefirms taking part in China’s international import expositions in Shanghai sothat key Vietnamese goods like agro-forestry-fishery products will be availablein larger amounts in the city and beyond, Deputy FM Trung said.
Chineseenterprises praised improvements in Vietnam’s business climate in recent times.They said they want to expand investment in the country’s high-tech andsustainable sectors.
Duringthe tour, leaders of both sides agreed to better control differences andmaintain peace and stability at sea.
PMPhuc lauded outcomes achieved through negotiations and cooperation in lesssensitive marine matters between the two countries as well as initial progressin ASEAN – China negotiations for the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).
Herequested Vietnam and China respect the interests of each other, realise thecommon perceptions of their high-ranking leaders and the agreement on the basicprinciples guiding the settlement of sea-related issues between Vietnam andChina, and solve disputes by peaceful measures in line with international lawand the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea to maintain peace andstability in the East Sea and the region.
Onthe participation of Vietnam at the first CIIE in Shanghai, Trung said thecountry was chosen as a guest of honour.
Accordingto him, Vietnam sent 25 enterprises to the expo specialised in the areas offarm produce, fishery products, food processing and trade services. TheVietnamese space attracted many visitors and transactions, while various contractswere signed.
Speakingat the fair’s opening ceremony, PM Phuc sent a strong message of Vietnam’ssupport toward the liberation and facilitation of trade and investment, as wella and its willingness to work with other countries in tackling globalchallenges.
TheGovernment leader introduced Vietnam’s cooperation potential, particularly interms of market, business climate, competitiveness and innovation. He alsomentioned the country’s key products like rice, coffee, fruit, apparel andhigh-tech electronic devices, among others.
Hestated Vietnam always creates a fair environment for foreign investors,highlighting the importance of increasing dialogues between the Government andbusinesses, and of effectively applying administrative reform measures,particularly in customs and quarantine procedures.
Vietnam’sperformance at the expo has contributed to boosting Vietnam – China cooperationacross spheres, especially economy – trade, promoting the national image,trademarks and products, propelling the export of Vietnamese key products likeagro-forestry-fishery goods and processed food to China and other countriesworldwide, and helping Vietnamese firms seek new markets and expand theirbusinesses, Trung stressed.-VNA
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