Vietnam, China seek ways to expand economic corridor cooperation

At the plenary discussion (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – More than 250 Vietnamese and Chinese delegates gathered at a conference in Hanoi on November 13 to compare notes on how to expand forms of connectivity and cooperation between cities and provinces along the economic corridor to boost economic development in the new situation.

The 10th conference on economic corridor cooperation among five provinces and cities of Hanoi, Hai Phong, Quang Ninh and Lao Cai of Vietnam and China’s Yunnan province was organised by the Hanoi People’s Committee.

This was a major diplomatic event hosted by Hanoi in the context that Vietnam and China have been implementing the their joint statement after the China visit by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong, and commemorating the 15th anniversary of the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership (June 2008-June 2023).

It contributed to promoting cultural traditions, potential and socio-economic achievements of Hanoi and the other participating localities.

Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Tran Sy Thanh speaks at the event. (Photo: VNA)

In his remarks, Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Tran Sy Thanh expressed his belief that the results will create a foundation to step up cooperation between the cities and provinces, as well as the two countries.

Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang highlighted the positive development of the Vietnam-China relationship, and affirmed that Vietnam consistently regards the friendship and cooperation between the two countries' localities as an important component of the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership.

Notably, the relations between Vietnamese localities and China’s Yunnan province were formed on the basis of the traditional friendship and long-standing attachment between the two sides' people. They have been constantly consolidated and strengthened by generations of revolutionary predecessors as well as leaders of the two countries, he said.

He suggested the localities stay more resolved, active and creative to contribute to realising high-level agreements and common perceptions, and make stronger efforts to enhance the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership in a sustainable way.

The Deputy PM urged the participants to work on new cooperation frameworks and models that match potential, advantages, conditions and priorities of the localities in order to create breakthroughs in economic, trade and investment collaboration, and intensify transport infrastructure connectivity, especially roads and railways in border areas.

Deputy PM Tran Luu Quang speaks at the event (Photo: VNA)

He also mentioned expanding cooperation in culture and tourism, increasing people-to-people exchanges, especially between youths, and fostering collaboration in the safe, effective and sustainable use and management of water resources.  

The localities should maintain their coordination to firmly consolidate the common border of peace and friendship, accelerate the opening and upgrading of a number of border gates in accordance with planning and development schemes for each period, and facilitate border trade, Quang added.  

Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam Xiong Bo affirmed that China stands ready to work with Vietnam to observe common strategic perceptions reached by their Party chiefs.

A number of cooperation agreements between localities and enterprises of the two countries were signed on this occasion./.

VNA