Vietnam promotes international integration and bilateral ties with China

President Vo Van Thuong’s attendance at the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing from October 17 to October 20 is of great significance in both bilateral and multilateral fields.

Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong

The working trip can be considered to be of great significance as it reflects the great importance and top priority that the Vietnamese Party and State has given to the development of relations with China, as well as their welcome of connectivity initiatives, including the BRI, for the goal of peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and throughout the world.

The Vietnamese State leader’s participation indicates the nation’s strong commitment to multilateralism and its activeness in strengthening regional and global economic cooperation and connectivity.

His working trip is highly respected by the leaders of the two countries as it is a high-level external activity taking place in the year commemorating the 15th anniversary of the comprehensive strategic co-operative partnership between both sides.

Inspired by the ancient Silk Road, stretching from Asia to Europe and possibly expanding into Africa and Latin America, the "Belt and Road" initiative (BRI) initiated by China was implemented in 2013 with a view to strengthening trade exchanges and connecting China with Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

According to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, by the end of 2022 the northern neighbour had signed 206 co-operation agreements on BRI with 151 countries and 32 international organisations in a bid to carry out about 3,000 projects across multiple fields with a total investment capital reaching nearly US$1,000 billion.

Recent times has seen the Vietnam - China comprehensive strategic co-operative partnership maintain a stable development trend, going on to achieve positive progress, especially after the official visit to China by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong from October 30 to November 1.

Since the beginning of the year both nations' senior leaders have continued to maintain regular exchanges and contacts.

The second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation officially opens in Beijing, China on April 26, 2019. (Photo:VNA)

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has visited China twice and attended important multilateral conferences, whilst Truong Thi Mai, Politburo member, permanent member of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee’s Secretariat, and chairwoman of the CPV Central Committee’s Organisation Commission, has also visited.

When the situation returns to normal following the COVID-19 pandemic, meetings between both nations’ Party leaders will also be resumed. Indeed, it is expected that in 2024 the two sides will continue to organise theoretical seminars and resume mechanisms in order to exchange experience in Party building and national governance.

For many years China has retained its position as the nation’s largest trading partner, whilst Vietnam is also the largest Chinese trading partner in ASEAN. Chinese investment into the Vietnamese market has maintained a rapid and sustainable growth trend.

During PM Chinh's official visit to China at the end of June, the two sides agreed to improve the quality of economic, trade, and investment co-operation, as well as striving to enhance transport connections, especially in railways, roads, and border gate infrastructure. This will be done while improving customs clearance efficiency, maintaining smooth trade, and ensuring production and supply chains.

The Chinese side affirmed that it will increase imports of Vietnamese goods, especially agricultural products, increase quotas for Vietnamese goods transiting by Chinese railway to third countries, along with expanding high-quality investment in fields suitable to Vietnamese needs.

Vietnam's Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong (left) and General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and President of China Xi Jinping. (Photo: VNA)

According to Vietnamese Ambassador to China Pham Sao Mai, in the context of the 15th anniversary of the Vietnam-China Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 2023, the trip demonstrates the high regard and top priority that the Vietnamese Party and State has given to promoting mutual relations. Indeed, it highlights the Vietnamese side’s appreciation of connectivity initiatives, including the BRI, for peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and the world at large.

The working visit also offers an opportunity for the two countries’ senior leaders to hold in-depth discussions on measures to meet their high-level common goals, especially those reached during the historic official visit to China made by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong last year. The trip took place to promote the development of the Vietnam-China Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership in a stable and healthy manner, with higher political trust, practical co-operation, and stronger social foundation.

President Thuong’s attendance at the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation takes place alongside the participation of senior leaders of many countries and business community representatives from about 140 nations. International organisations will also contribute the nation’s voice in promoting peace, co-operation, economic integration, and regional connectivity, thereby deepening international relations with countries around the world. This will serve to contribute to promoting regional and global economic growth and effectively implementing the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

VOV