This request highlights a strategic effort to enhance transportation links that are crucial for regional connectivity and economic growth.

The discussions, part of the Deputy Prime Minister's agenda at the 21st China-ASEAN Expo, underline the priority given to strengthening infrastructural ties between Vietnam and China, amidst broader efforts to ensure sustainable bilateral cooperation in various sectors.

Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc is currently on a visit to attend the 21st China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) and the China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (CABIS) in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China.

On the afternoon of September 24th, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc held talks with Chinese Vice Premier Ding Tiexiang.

Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc appreciated China's successful hosting of the 21st CAEXPO and CABIS, highlighting China’s significant role in the regional and global economy.

Vietnam consistently views the consolidation and development of Vietnam-China relations as a strategic choice and a top priority in its foreign policy agenda, aiming to ensure that the bilateral relations continue to develop in a stable, healthy, and sustainable manner.

Both deputy prime ministers agreed to enhance the guidance to their respective ministries and localities to actualize and materialize the high-level agreements and mutual understandings, promoting stable and healthy bilateral relations.

Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc requested both sides to boost cooperation, especially in connecting transport infrastructure such as railways and roads across the Vietnam-China border.

He also urged the Chinese government to actively support Vietnam in quickly initiating the feasibility study for the standard-gauge railway line from Lao Cai to Hanoi to Hai Phong and to start planning for the standard-gauge railway lines from Lang Son to Hanoi, and from Mong Cai to Ha Long to Hai Phong.

The Deputy Prime Minister called for good bilateral management of the land border, strict implementation of agreements and mutual understandings of high-level leaders, maintenance of peace and stability at sea, and better control and resolution of maritime disagreements.

Vice Premier Ding Tiexiang appreciated and agreed with Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc's cooperation proposals, affirming that China prioritizes its relations with Vietnam in its neighborhood diplomacy.

China hopes to promote substantive cooperation, expand people-to-people exchanges, strengthen traditional friendships, properly manage disagreements, and jointly promote the construction of a China-Vietnam community with a shared future of strategic significance.

Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc met with Guangxi Secretary Liu Ning.

Welcoming Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc to Guangxi, Secretary Liu Ning thanked the Vietnamese government for its active support of the annual CAEXPO and CABIS held in Nanning.

Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc called for enhanced friendly exchanges between the Party organizations, local governments, and people of both sides.

He urged for the promotion of transportation connectivity through rail, road, sea, and air; acceleration of the construction of pilot smart border gates to facilitate trade between the two countries and the region.

Vietnam welcomes competent Guangxi enterprises to expand high-quality investments in Vietnam, increase the import of strong Vietnamese products, especially agricultural and aquatic products, and fruits.

The Deputy Prime Minister requested both sides to continue close coordination in border management, timely joint resolution of arising incidents; enhance cooperation in immigration management and crime prevention across the border; and push for the upgrading and opening of new border gates and crossings as agreed by both sides.

Thanking Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc for his important directional comments, Guangxi Party Secretary Liu Ning affirmed that Guangxi would effectively implement the high-level mutual understanding and joint statements of the leaders of the two countries.

Tran Thuong