If you want to "die," just use outdated Chinese technology and equipment.

A series of multi-billion dollar projects are stalled, operating at a loss, causing environmental pollution, wasting energy, and reducing competitiveness... all because they use outdated Chinese technology and equipment. The story of "picking up" discarded Chinese technology is truly distressing and alarming.

Associate Professor Pham Tat Thang (Institute of Trade Research - Ministry of Industry and Trade) shared his views when discussing the issue of Vietnam facing the risk of becoming the world's technological dumping ground.

Associate Professor Thang said: Technology always plays a key role in creating the competitiveness of businesses in economies. International integration cannot be achieved using outdated technologies.

The reason for the trillion-dong losses at the Ninh Binh fertilizer plant is due to high costs and outdated technology, resulting from the selection of Chinese technology.

Unfortunately, however, the problem of outdated equipment and technology has become a major concern over the years. Outdated equipment from China is flooding the market everywhere.

Many years ago, we surely remember the story of vertical kiln cement. At that time, many authorities promoted the import of this outdated technology from China into our country, but after a while, it became clear that it caused serious environmental pollution and had no economic efficiency.

What about recently? Ninh Binh Fertilizer Plant, Thai Nguyen Steel Plant, Phuong Nam Pulp Mill, Dinh Vu Fiber Plant in Hai Phong… and a series of other multi-billion dollar projects are stalled due to the use of outdated technology and equipment from China.

Regarding the Ninh Binh Fertilizer Plant, one of the projects struggling due to the use of Chinese technology, the Ninh Binh Provincial People's Committee has proposed applying safeguard measures to imported urea to limit the import of cheap goods.

I consider this a very "absurd" proposal. Ninh Binh Fertilizer uses outdated technology (coal gasification), and the backward Chinese technology results in high production costs and low product quality, making it uncompetitive with similar domestic products, especially Chinese fertilizers.

The story of "picking up" discarded Chinese technology is truly troubling.

Given such dangers, what do you think is the reason why both state-owned and private enterprises are rushing to import equipment from China?

I believe this problem stems not only from businesses but also from management. Many people in management positions see doing business with China as an opportunity to make money, and for the sake of profit, they disregard ethical considerations.

Meanwhile, many businesses operate in a opportunistic, short-sighted manner… Or perhaps for reasons related to vested interests, they are fully aware of the dangers but still proceed recklessly.

As for state-owned enterprises, they use budget money for these activities; they reap the benefits while the consequences fall on the people and their descendants, yet they continue to do it anyway.

Moreover, Chinese businesses also have many tricks to exploit the greed of Vietnamese people: They offer low-interest loans, pay large bribes, and some Chinese businesses even "entice" customers by promising to help them sell their machinery...

According to him, what measures are needed to prevent Vietnam from becoming a technological dumping ground?

During his recent visit to China, the Prime Minister declared Vietnam's stance against accepting outdated production technologies. The Chairman of the National Assembly stated that the Law on Technology Transfer should be amended to prevent Vietnam from becoming a dumping ground for outdated technologies.

However, whether those policies are implemented in practice depends on the compliance of the management agencies and the officials. Those who make mistakes and cause losses must be held clearly accountable. The responsibility of each person who developed, participated in, or approved failed investments that resulted in waste and serious consequences needs to be clarified.

Furthermore, it is crucial to seriously implement the Prime Minister's directive to actively privatize state-owned enterprises. Essentially, state-owned enterprises do not face domestic competition; they thrive on preferential treatment and easy access to resources. However, looking at the trillions of dong in losses incurred by many state-owned enterprises, it is clear they are weakening the economy…

China is a developed country with varying levels of development. They possess very advanced technology, but also outdated technology. Their goal is to discard waste in order to gain access to new technologies and enhance their competitiveness. To achieve this, they will do everything they can to push their "spoiled" products onto us.

That won't change no matter how much we appeal to them or what we do. It all depends on us. Let's stop "abetting" them.

Numerous warnings have been issued regarding oversupply in industries such as steel and cement, but many businesses, with the support of government ministries, still stubbornly invest in outdated technology from China.

That would have disastrous consequences for the economy. Now more than ever, we need to be vigilant to protect the interests of our own country!

According to bizlive