Deputy PM attends 7th China-South Asia Expo in Kunming

In his remarks at the event, Deputy PM Quang spoke highly of the role of the two fairs in supporting the Southeast and South Asian business communities to seek investment cooperation opportunities, strengthen trade exchange, promote production and business and gradually revive the economy after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang speaks at the opening ceremony of the 7th China – South Asia Expo (CAS Expo) and the 27th China Kunming Import and Export Commodities Fair in Kunming, the capital of China’s Yunnan province - Photo: VNA

The Deputy PM emphasised that located in the dynamic development of Southeast Asia, Vietnam has outstanding competitive advantages, converging conditions to become an ideal "dock" for foreign investors and is a potential destination in the shifting and restructuring process of the global supply chain and production network.

While highly valuing the role of Yunnan province in collaboration with Vietnam and countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), with available cooperation mechanisms, Quang suggested theChinese government and Yunnan authorities continue to pay attention to and promote comprehensive collaboration and extensive connectivity in economy, trade and tourism between the Chinese province and Vietnamese localities.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang (centre) visits a Vietnamese booth at the fair - Photo: VNA

The 150,000-sq.m expo features around 8,000 booths run by exhibitors from 30 countries and territories. This year’s event sees nearly 70 Vietnamese exhibitors who showcase their products like seafood, footwear, timber and handicrafts at 130 booths.

The same day, Deputy PM Quang, who is also head of the Vietnam sub-committee in the Vietnam-China Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation, had a meeting with Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Director of the Office of Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, and Minister of Foreign Affairs. Wang is also head of the China sub-committee in the Vietnam-China Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang (left) and Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi - Photo: VNA

At the meeting, the two sides expressed their pleasure at and appreciation for the positive achievements in Vietnam-China relations over the past time.

Quang affirmed Vietnam's consistent policy in attaching importance to the development of friendly neighbourliness and comprehensive strategic cooperation partnership between Vietnam and China. He suggested that the two sides closely coordinate, promote the concretisation of high-level common perceptions; actively prepare for exchange activities; promote trade cooperation in a more sustainable manner and enhance the connection in terms of railway and road transport infrastructure.

Appreciating Quang's proposals, Wang emphasised that China attaches great importance to developing friendly neighbourliness with Vietnam; is willing to work closely to prepare for high-level visits and contacts in the coming time as well as agrees to continue promoting cooperation mechanisms between the two countries, especially the Vietnam-China Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation mechanism.

Regarding substantive cooperation, Wang affirmed that China is ready to support Vietnam in realising the economic development goals set by the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam; strengthen cooperation in economic-trade fields, including transport infrastructure connection and local exchanges. He hoped that the two sides will strengthen coordination in international and regional forums.

The two sides also agreed, together with ASEAN, to maintain peace, stability and promote cooperation in the East Sea.