Vietnam PM seeks China partnership in major infrastructure projects

Meeting with the Vietnamese PM at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Xi said that China highly values and prioritizes its relationship with Vietnam as part of its overall neighborly diplomatic policy.

He reiterated support for Vietnam's national independence and dignity.

He emphasized that both sides need to enhance political trust, maintain regular high-level exchanges, promote exchanges through party channels, and strengthen cooperation between key ministries such as foreign affairs, defense, and public security.

PM Chinh said that both sides should cooperate on building large and symbolic infrastructure projects that have practical impacts.

The two countries should increase transport connectivity through railways, roads and border gates as part of the "Two Corridors, One Belt" framework which is part of the "Belt and Road Initiative."

Chinh also requested that China facilitate the export of key Vietnamese products such as frozen durians, fresh coconuts, and rice, and create favorable conditions for Vietnamese goods to be transported through the country to Central Asia and Europe.

Both countries should make cooperation between localities a new growth driver, explore the possibility of building cross-border economic cooperation zones, expand border gate economic cooperation, and develop smart border gates, he said.

Localities of both countries should actively cooperate and expand cooperation in finance, banking, education, and healthcare, he added.

Xi agreed to consider the implementation of pilot cross-border economic zones and said that China is ready to expand imports of high-quality Vietnamese goods.

He confirmed that China supports Vietnam in accelerating industrialization and modernization and in building sustainable supply and production chains regionally and globally.

China's ongoing comprehensive reform and development of new quality production forces will provide opportunities for bilateral cooperation in trade, transportation connectivity, and digital economy, he added.

The Chinese government supports Chinese businesses in increasing investment in Vietnam, especially in high-tech and emerging industries.

Both countries also agreed to jointly control and handle disagreements at sea, focusing on maintaining peace and stability.

Chinh proposed that both countries implement high-level common perceptions to respect each other's legitimate interests and comply with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, to prevent maritime disagreements from affecting bilateral friendship.

Also Wednesday PM Chinh met with Wang Huning, Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (L) meets with Wang Huning, Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee, in Beijing on June 26, 2024. Photo by Doan Bac

Chinh suggested that both countries renew their thinking and effectively implement agreements and common perceptions of the high-level leaders of the two Parties and countries, especially the Joint Statement on further deepening and elevating the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership to build a Vietnam-China Community with a Shared Future according to the "Six More" direction.

Wang said that his committee is ready to strengthen exchanges and coordination with the Vietnam Fatherland Front at all levels, and to promote substantive cooperation between the two sides.

He also introduced to Chinh some new creative theoretical achievements of the Chinese Communist Party, especially the "Two Combinations" approach (combining socialism with Chinese characteristics and traditional Chinese culture), "Chinese-style modernization", and developing "new quality production forces."

Chinh is in China from June 24 to 27 to attend the the 15th Annual Meeting of the New Champions of the World Economic Forum and to participate in working sessions with Chinese government leaders.

On June 24, he held talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Dalian, discussing measures to strengthen bilateral relations in various fields.