Nanning (VNA) – Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh met with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng on September 16, part of his working trip to attend the 22nd China – ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) and the 22nd China – ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (CABIS) in Nanning city.

Han congratulated Vietnam on its socio-economic achievements in recent years, affirming that the Communist Party and State of China trust and support the Communist Party of Vietnam in leading the country on a socialist path suited to its conditions and successfully organising the 14th National Party Congress, thus ushering in a new era of national development.

For his part, Chinh also congratulated the Party, State, and people of China on their major attainments in national construction and development.

The two sides highly valued the positive momentum in bilateral relations, highlighting frequent high-level exchanges, strong strategic economic links, dynamic local cooperation, and active people-to-people exchanges, which have helped elevate Vietnam – China relations to a new stage of more effective and substantive development.

They discussed ways to further advance bilateral ties, agreeing to direct the countries' ministries, sectors, and localities to effectively implement the high-level common perceptions and step up practical cooperation across sectors.

Reaffirming the Vietnamese Party, State, and Government's consistent policy of giving the top priority to developing relations with China, Chinh called for stronger political ties, regular and flexible high-level exchanges, and expanded cooperation between their Parties, Governments, parliaments, and fatherland fronts. He also stressed the importance of fully leveraging key dialogue mechanisms, particularly the Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation and the 3+3 strategic dialogue.

The Deputy PM urged the two sides to highly prioritise railway cooperation, effectively utilise the Vietnam – China Joint Railway Cooperation Committee, and ensure the groundbreaking of the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway project in 2025.

He also called for promoting healthy and sustainable bilateral trade, with China continuing to open its market to Vietnamese agricultural and aquatic products and expediting the establishment of Vietnam’s trade promotion offices in China.

Chinh further proposed stronger cooperation in digital economy, green economy, circular economy, and energy transition, affirming that Vietnam welcomes and stands ready to facilitate large-scale, high-quality, and technologically advanced investment projects from China.

Highlighting the importance of the countries' friendship, he asked the two countries to push ahead with people-to-people bonds within the framework of the Vietnam – China Year of Humanistic Exchange 2025 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations. He also urged closer partnerships in education, culture, tourism, and sports, along with greater sharing of experience in ethnic and religious affairs.

Applauding Chinh’s proposals, Han affirmed that China attaches great importance to promoting relations with Vietnam. He agreed that the two sides should promote all-level exchanges, increase the sharing of experience in Party building and state governance, and enhance defence and security ties, thereby fostering mutual understanding and political trust.

The host emphasised the importance of practical and mutually beneficial cooperation, affirming China’s readiness to strengthen transport infrastructure connectivity, including railways, expand the import of high-quality Vietnamese goods, and encourage leading Chinese enterprises with advanced technology to invest more in Vietnam.

He also pledged to encourage Chinese localities, including Guangxi, to bolster friendship exchanges and substantive cooperation with Vietnamese ones, especially border provinces, and to reinforce links in tourism, education, culture, and people-to-people exchanges to enhance public support for bilateral relations.

The two sides also agreed to continue supporting multilateralism and closely coordinating at international and regional forums, thereby actively contributing to global peace, cooperation, and development.

Earlier, Chinh met with Chen Gang, member of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Secretary of the CPC Committee of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The two sides highlighted notable achievements in cooperation between Vietnamese ministries, sectors, and localities with Guangxi, particularly in fostering friendship exchanges, robust growth in trade and investment, significant progress in transport connectivity, and effective coordination in border management.

Deputy PM Chinh proposed Guangxi continue to facilitate the import of Vietnamese goods into China via this province, support capable Guangxi enterprises in expanding high-quality investment in Vietnam, accelerate the planning of standard-gauge railway routes Lang Son – Hanoi and Mong Cai – Ha Long – Hai Phong, effectively implement the pilot smart border gate model at the Huu Nghi – Youyi Guan border gate pair, and expand cooperation in science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation.

The Vietnamese official also urged both sides to closely coordinate in border management under the three land border legal documents and related agreements between the two countries, properly handle issues arising along the border, and ensure the safe and effective operation of the Ban Gioc – Detian Waterfall scenic area.

Agreeing with Chinh, Chen affirmed that Guangxi attaches special importance to and gives the top priority to the friendship and comprehensive cooperation with Vietnam. He emphasised his province’s readiness to continue properly implementing the common perceptions reached by the top leaders of the two Parties and countries, helping to deepen the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and build a Vietnam – China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.

✅ He put forward several specific proposals to boost cooperation between Guangxi and Vietnam, including promoting sustainable economic and trade ties, encouraging Guangxi enterprises to invest more in Vietnam, enhancing collaboration in science, technology and AI, facilitating trade, and tightening cross-border transport links, particularly railway connectivity./.