President answers questions before visit to China

President Tran Dai Quang said that Vietnam and China need to continue studying measures to expand and improve quality and efficiency, creating stronger changes in the fields of cooperation.

President Tran Dai Quang. Photo: VNA

On the occasion of his State visit to China and attendance at the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, on May 10, at the Presidential Palace, President Tran Dai Quang gave an interview to the Chinese press.

Referring to the prospects for Vietnam-China cooperation, President Tran Dai Quang emphasized that the cooperation between the two Parties and the two countries of Vietnam and China has a good foundation and basic similarities, namely: The traditional friendly neighborly relationship was built and nurtured during the revolutionary struggle and national liberation; the two countries are both persistently following the socialist path, are both in an important stage of the renovation, reform and opening-up process, and the two countries share the common interest in maintaining a peaceful and stable environment for national development.

In the context of the rapidly and complicated developments in the world and region, further consolidating and enhancing the Vietnam-China Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership is in line with the fundamental and long-term interests of the two countries and their peoples, and is beneficial to maintaining peace and stability in the region and the world.

The potential for cooperation between the two countries is still very large. China is the second largest economy in the world; it has accumulated valuable experience in the process of building and developing the country, especially in the economic field. Vietnam continues to maintain its economic growth momentum, and is considered one of the most successful countries in attracting foreign investment among developing countries.

Vietnam and China need to continue studying measures to expand and improve quality and efficiency, creating stronger changes in the fields of cooperation.

The President said that during the visit, he will discuss with General Secretary and President Xi Jinping and other senior leaders of the Chinese Party and State the directions and major measures to continue enhancing mutual trust, promoting the resolution of issues of mutual concern, further consolidating the traditional friendship between Vietnam and China, deepening the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries and actively contributing to promoting peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

Regarding the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, President Tran Dai Quang said that this is an opportunity for leaders of countries and international organizations to discuss measures to strengthen cooperation and promote international integration for peace, stability, security, prosperity and sustainable development.

Vietnam supports initiatives and efforts to strengthen economic linkages and regional connectivity for the common benefit of countries; expects the Forum to open up opportunities for cooperation and economic connectivity between countries and regions, especially promoting smooth and effective economic connectivity, developing intercontinental transport infrastructure, facilitating trade and investment, enhancing connectivity between businesses, expanding people-to-people exchanges, contributing to the successful implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Enterprises, especially small and medium enterprises, will have the opportunity to participate more deeply in the regional and global value chain, apply scientific and technological advances, develop industries and economic products with high added value. At the same time, this connection also helps the two countries promote cooperation in environmental protection, climate change response, and sustainable management and use of natural resources.

President Tran Dai Quang emphasized that Vietnam-China relations are on the rise with positive results in all fields.

China has consistently been Vietnam’s largest trading partner and Vietnam has become China’s largest trading partner among ASEAN countries. As of March 2017, China had more than 1,600 projects with a total capital of over 11 billion USD, ranking 8th out of 116 countries and territories investing in Vietnam, contributing to Vietnam’s socio-economic development as well as strengthening the cooperative relationship between the two countries.

The fact that Chinese enterprises are interested in speeding up the progress of projects and ensuring the quality as committed will bring higher economic efficiency to both sides and contribute to enhancing the reputation of Chinese investors in Vietnam.

To achieve the goal of rapid and sustainable growth, Vietnam continues to innovate its growth model, restructure the economy, promote industrialization, modernization and international integration, and shift economic growth momentum to high value-added industries using advanced technology.

In this process, Vietnam welcomes Chinese enterprises to increase investment, business, and transfer advanced technology through large projects that represent China's development level, especially in areas where China has strengths and Vietnam has needs, such as infrastructure development, manufacturing industry, high-quality human resource development, clean energy, etc.

At the same time, with its close geographical location, Vietnam always creates favorable conditions for Chinese enterprises to exchange goods with ASEAN and world markets.

According to VNA