Kunming (VNA) – Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha addressed the opening ceremony of the 9th China-South Asia Expo (CSA Expo) and the 29th Kunming Import and Export Fair on June 19, calling on countries to increase infrastructure investment and improve both regional and global logistics connectivity.
In his remarks, Ha emphasised that Vietnam, which boasts a widespread seaport system and is strongly developing strategic rail, road, and air infrastructure, is ready to strengthen cooperation with China and other countries to create seamless and multimodal logistics connectivity.
He also urged countries to work together to remove supply chain bottlenecks, expand market access, strengthen cooperation in smart customs procedures, mutually recognise technical standards, and eliminate unnecessary protectionist barriers to boost trade and investment.
The Deputy PM praised the role of the CSA Expo and the Kunming Fair in fostering harmonious, sustainable, and inclusive development among ASEAN, South Asian, and Chinese economies. He welcomed China's continued advocacy of multilateralism and free trade, and its efforts to connect development strategies and boost regional linkages.
Highlighting the importance of international solidarity, global cooperation, and multilateralism, Ha called on governments to promote their development-enabling role, enhance dialogue, and reinforce a rules-based, open, fair, and transparent multilateral trading system. Such a system, he said, is vital for maintaining complementary and mutually beneficial supply chains, thereby creating favourable conditions for businesses and citizens of countries to strengthen cooperation.
The official presented Vietnam’s economic potential and reform agenda based on four pillars: science - technology and innovation, international integration, law building and enforcement reform, and private sector development.
He affirmed Vietnam’s commitment to working with China and other regional partners to strengthen comprehensive cooperation. This includes promoting trade and investment, enhancing transport infrastructure connectivity, expanding forms of people-to-people exchanges, and developing tourism for the shared prosperity of the region and the benefits of enterprises and citizens of each country.
As part of the events, Deputy PM Ha also visited the Vietnamese pavilion, which showcased the country’s key exports.
The CSA Expo, held in Kunming of Yunnan province, is the leading economic and political event in southwestern China, supported by the Chinese Government as part of its "Go West" strategy and the Belt and Road Initiative. It serves as a platform for deepening China's cooperation with South Asian and ASEAN countries.
This year’s edition, themed “Solidarity and Cooperation for Common Development”, features 15 thematic exhibition zones covering 150,000 sq.m, with around 8,000 standard booths. The event draws participants from over 30 countries and territories, alongside businesses from more than 20 provinces and cities across China.
Vietnam is participating with 130 booths of nearly 70 businesses, showcasing a wide range of flagship products including seafood, cashew nuts, pepper, coffee, dragon fruit, sliced cassava, coconut-based products, footwear, perfume, and wooden furniture./.
