Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam is China’s biggest tradepartner in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the sixthlargest in the world, affirmed Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade NguyenHong Dien.

Talking to the press on the occasion of Prime Minister Pham MinhChinh’s attendance at the 20th China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) and China-ASEANBusiness and Investment Summit (CABIS) in Nanning city, China's Guangxiprovince, from September 16-17, Dien said the bilateral economic-trade-investmentties have been growing positively and continuously made new records.

China has remained Vietnam’s biggest trade partner for manyyears, the official said, stressing cooperation in mutually beneficial areas hasbeen expanded and deepened constantly, bringing tangible benefits to people ofboth countries.
The official suggested the two sides work harder to realisehigh-level common perceptions reached by the two Parties and countries, thus strengtheningcollaboration across spheres, making it more intensive.

They should consolidate their political trust by increasingall-level exchanges and meetings, especially strategic contacts between top leadersof the two Parties and countries, in order to set out overall directions forthe bilateral relations, he continued.

Dien stressed the need to carry forward the coordinatingrole of the Steering Committee for Vietnam – China Bilateral Cooperation; raisecollaboration quality in all fields, with a focus on economy, trade andinvestment; promote the role and efficiency of cooperation mechanisms infinance, currency, and infrastructure; enhance the trade ties in a morebalanced fashion; and launch more road and railway cooperation projects.

The minister proposed expanding people-to-people exchanges,especially between young people, and intensify the communications work to raisepublic awareness of the good friendship between the two Parties and countries.

The two countries should work to control and appropriatelyaddress differences in line with their high-level agreements and perceptions,while respecting each other's legal and legitimate interests in accordance withinternational law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law ofthe Sea, for the sake of their people and for regional and global peace,cooperation, and development, he went on.

Regarding CAEXPO and CABIS, Dien said they have served asimportant, prestigious mechanisms for economic, trade and investmentcooperation between ASEAN and China, directly and practically contributing to turningASEAN into China’s biggest trade partner, and making China a leading tradepartner of ASEAN member countries, including Vietnam.  
The minister noted his hope that cooperation within theframework of CAEXPO will be an important driving force for the development ofASEAN-China, the member countries of the Regional Comprehensive EconomicPartnership (RCEP), as well as those involved in the "Belt and Road"initiative.

Vietnam hopes that CAEXPO, CABIS, and related activities willfocus on attracting even more participation and transactions from reputable,scalable, and capable enterprises, exporters, and importers from China andaround the world in the coming time, particularly in the areas where both ASEANand China have strengths, he said.

The official laid emphasis on such cooperation realms ashigh-tech, innovation, green development, carbon emission reduction technologyand environmental management, among others./.