General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee To Lam receives Chen Gang, member of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Secretary of the CPC Committee of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (Photo: VNA)
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam(CPV) Central Committee To Lam on February 18 received Chen Gang, member of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Secretary of the CPC Committee of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Chairman of the Regional People's Congress Standing Committee.
Chen is visiting Viet Nam to attend a New Year meeting for the secretaries of the Party committees of Viet Nam’s Quang Ninh, Lang Son, Cao Bang and Ha Giang provinces and China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, as well as the 16th session of their Joint Working Committee, which will be held in Ha Long city of Quang Ninh from February 19–22.
Lam affirmed that Viet Nam consistently regards the development of its relations with China as an objective requirement, a strategic choice, and a top priority in its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralism and diversification of external relations.
He appreciated the pioneering role and position of Guangxi in promoting the friendship and practical cooperation with Viet Nam. He applauded Guangxi and the Vietnamese localities' effective implementation of the New Year meeting, and supported both sides' idea to invite Viet Nam’s Hai Phong city to participate in this annual mechanism.
Regarding future cooperation, the host leader suggested Guangxi and Vietnamese localities closely adhere to the high-level common perceptions, enhance friendly exchanges, and foster mutual understanding.
They should effectively implement mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, particularly economics – trade, infrastructure, science – technology, innovation, and artificial intelligence (AI); accelerate the building a pilot model of smart border gates to facilitate customs clearance, especially for Viet Nam's agricultural products entering the Chinese market; as well as cooperate in land border management, he went on.
Lam expressed his hope that the two sides will collaborate effectively in holding the Year of Viet Nam– China Humanistic Exchange 2025 to celebrate the 75th founding anniversary of the countries' diplomatic relations, and step up friendship exchanges between their people.
An overview of the meeting (Photo: VNA)
Chen said Viet Nam is a close neighbour and a leading partner of Guangxi, affirming that the Party organisation and administration of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, as well as himself personally, attach great importance to the friendship and cooperation with Vietnamese localities.
Guangxi will continue to take the lead in thoroughly and fruitfully implementing the shared perceptions of the top leaders of both Parties and countries regarding the further enhancement of the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and the building of the Viet Nam – China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance, he affirmed.
The official also proposed promoting cooperation in several key areas like strengthening delegation exchanges at all levels; expanding mutually beneficial collaboration in such fields as economy – trade, investment, education – training, and science –technology, including AI and big data development; accelerating the establishment of the pilot smart border gate model; enhancing road and railway transport connectivity; and facilitating goods flows, travel, and people-to-people exchanges between China and Viet Nam, as well as other ASEAN countries.
He highlighted the importance of fostering friendship exchanges and mutual understanding between people of Guangxi and Vietnamese localities.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh meets with Chen Gang, member of the CPC Central Committee and Secretary of the CPC Committee of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (Photo: VNA)
* On the same day, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with Chen Gang, member of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Secretary of the CPC Committee of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, reaffirming the strengthened ties between Viet Nam and the Chinese locality.
Chen expressed his pleasure at visiting Viet Nam for the first time, praising the country’s development and reaffirming Guangxi’s strong focus on reinforcing ties with Vietnamese localities, especially the four provinces bordering Guangxi. He pledged that the Chinese side is determined to effectively implement the high-level common perceptions to practically contribute to relations between the two Parties and countries.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh meets with Chen Gang, member of the CPC Central Committee and Secretary of the CPC Committee of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and his delegation (Photo: VNA)
Both sides acknowledged the positive progress in collaboration between Guangxi and Vietnamese localities, in line with the growing Viet Nam – China Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and the Viet Nam – China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
This could be seen in increased people-to-people exchanges, expanded economic and trade ties—reflected in a bilateral trade turnover of 42 billion USD, proper border management, improved transport connectivity, and dynamic cooperation in culture, education, and tourism.
PM Chinh expressed appreciation for Guangxi's historical ties with Viet Nam, noting that it holds many significant landmarks related to President Ho Chi Minh’s revolutionary activities. He also recognised its role as China's leading province in fostering exchanges and cooperation with Viet Nam, serving as a gateway between China and ASEAN. The Government leader then encouraged Guangxi and Vietnamese localities to innovate and enhance the quality of their cooperation mechanisms to deliver tangible benefits to the people.
Regarding joint work in the time to come, the PM called for accelerated connectivity in transport infrastructure, underscoring the two key standard-gauge railway projects of Lang Son – Hanoi and of Mong Cai – Ha Long – Hai Phong.
He also stressed the need to expedite the construction of a smart border gate at the Huu Nghi – Youyi Guan international border crossing, to facilitate the imports of Vietnamese goods into China and third countries, and to strengthen cooperation in science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation. In addition, the leader highlighted the importance of jointly developing large-scale, iconic projects and ensuring effective land border management while fostering vibrant people-to-people exchanges.
In response, Chen agreed with the PM’s recommendations and affirmed the vast cooperation potential between Guangxi and Vietnamese localities. He said he hopes that the sides will further strengthen their transport connectivity, particularly railway linkages, and accelerate the development of smart border gates to enhance border goods clearance efficiency. He also proposed advancing cross-border economic cooperation, starting with a pilot industrial cooperation zone between Guangxi and Viet Nam’s northern province of Quang Ninh.
Furthermore, he revealed a plan to establish a China-ASEAN artificial intelligence cooperation centre in Nanning to promote collaboration with Viet Nam and other ASEAN nations in the field. He extended an invitation to Vietnamese leaders to attend the 22nd China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO), scheduled for September 17-21 in Nanning, and sought the Vietnamese Government's support for the event./.
Source: VNA
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