Beijing (VNA) – VietnameseAmbassador to China Pham Sao Mai met with officials of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in Chongqing city and Sichuan province during his working visits to the two Chinese localities on November 24.

He had meetings with Politburo member andSecretary of the Chongqing CPC Committee Chen Min’er, along with member of theCPC Central Committee and Secretary of the Sichuan CPC Committee Peng Qinghua.

At these events, Mai congratulated Chongqing andSichuan on their recent achievements in socio-economic development despitenumerous difficulties caused by the COVID-19 outbreak and serious floods.

He highly valued the two localities’ importantrole in China’s strategic plans on developing regional connectivity, voicinghis belief that with their geographical, transport, and business advantages,they will strongly bring into play their role in connecting China withSoutheast Asian neighbours, including Vietnam.

Noting the progress in relations between the twoParties and the two countries, the ambassador said amid the 70th anniversary ofbilateral diplomatic relations this year, their leaders have maintained contactvia flexible forms.

Connections in different areas have beenfostered, especially economic, trade, and investment links which have sustainedstable growth and become highlights of bilateral cooperation. 

According to Chinese statistics, bilateral tradegrew 16.2 percent in the first 10 months of this year to approximate 150billion USD. In particular, trade between Vietnamese localities and Chongqingand Sichuan has been surging. Vietnam’s exports to Chongqing soared by over 86percent year on year in the first nine months to top 4.5 billion USD.

To further enhance Vietnam’s ties with the twoChinese localities, and the southwestern region of China as a whole, Maisuggested both sides actively organise delegation exchanges once the pandemicis under control.

They should increase transport connectivity bypromoting different means of transport like road, rail, sea, and airtransport. 

They also need to tap into their respectivepotential and advantages, optimise cooperation chances generated by importantfree trade agreements (FTAs) like the Regional Comprehensive EconomicPartnership (RCEP), and facilitate bilateral trade so that more Vietnamesegoods can reach China’s western region and Europe and more commodities fromChongqing and Sichuan can enter Vietnam and Southeast Asia, the diplomat recommended.

He welcomed prestigious and capable businessesof Chongqing and Sichuan expanding investment in Vietnam, especially in hi-techmanufacturing and environmentally friendly industries.

Mai also asked the two localities to increasescholarships for Vietnamese students and bolster tourism and people-to-peopleexchanges when possible.

For his part, Secretary of the Chongqing CPCCommittee Chen Min’er said as a centrally-run city with strengths in variousspheres, Chongqing is ready to contribute to the China-Vietnam comprehensivestrategic cooperative partnership.

The city views Vietnamese localities as itsleading economic partners in Southeast Asia and wishes to step up transport andlogistics connectivity; trade, investment, and industrial productioncooperation; tourism links; and people-to-people exchange.

Chongqing also looks to join hands to make useof cooperation opportunities brought about by China’s regional connectivitystrategies and the FTAs of which both countries are members like the RCEP, Chensaid.

Meanwhile, Secretary of the Sichuan CPCCommittee Peng Qinghua emphasised that his province treasures and hopes tointensify its cooperation with Vietnamese localities.

He expressed his delight at the strongdevelopment of Sichuan-Vietnam trade, which grew 38 percent year on year toaround 10 billion USD in the first 10 months.

As Sichuan boasts many favourable conditions fortightening economic and trade links with Vietnam, the two sides shouldcapitalise on their potential to foster partnerships in logistics, trade,production, science-technology, culture, tourism, and locality-to-localityexchange, the official suggested./.