If you want to 'die', just use outdated Chinese technology and equipment.

A series of trillion-dollar projects are “shelved”, operating at a loss, causing environmental pollution, wasting energy, and reducing competitiveness… because of using outdated Chinese technology and equipment. The story of “picking up trash” of Chinese technology is truly painful and alarming.

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

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thang said: Technology is always a key factor in creating the competitiveness of enterprises in the economy. It is impossible to integrate internationally with old technologies.

The reason for the trillion-dollar loss at the Ninh Binh fertilizer plant is due to high costs and outdated technology when choosing Chinese technology.

However, unfortunately, over the years, the problem of outdated equipment and technology has become a headache. Everywhere we see outdated equipment imported from China.

Many years ago, we must remember the story of vertical kiln cement. At that time, many competent agencies promoted this backward technology from China to be imported into our country. After a while, it was clear that the environmental pollution was serious and the economic efficiency was not there.

What about recently? Ninh Binh Nitrogen Fertilizer, Thai Nguyen Iron and Steel, Phuong Nam Pulp Factory, Dinh Vu Hai Phong Fiber… and a series of other trillion-dollar projects “shelved” because they used outdated technology equipment from China.

Regarding the Ninh Binh Nitrogen Plant, one of the projects that is in trouble because of using Chinese technology, to save this plant, the Ninh Binh People's Committee has proposed applying self-defense measures on imported urea products to limit cheap imports.

I think this is a very “silly” proposal. Ninh Binh Fertilizer uses very old technology (coal gasification), outdated Chinese technology, which makes the price high, the product quality low, and cannot compete with similar domestic products, especially Chinese fertilizer.

The story of "picking up trash" of Chinese technology is really painful.

Such a danger, but in your opinion, why do both state-owned and private enterprises rush to import Chinese equipment?

I think this problem is not only due to businesses but also to management. Many people in management agencies see doing business with China as an opportunity to make money, so they do not care about the benefits.

Meanwhile, many businesses themselves do business in a haphazard, short-sighted manner... Or perhaps for reasons related to certain group interests, they know the dangers but still do it regardless.

As for state-owned enterprises, they use budget money to do that, they enjoy the money but leave the consequences to the people, to their children and grandchildren, so they still do it.

Not to mention, Chinese businesses also have many tricks to exploit the greed of Vietnamese people: They lend capital at low interest rates, then pay a lot of "bribes", some Chinese businesses even "entice" that they will support the consumption of goods for you if you buy my machinery...

According to you, what measures are needed to prevent Vietnam from becoming a technology dumping ground?

During his recent visit to China, the Prime Minister stated that he does not accept outdated manufacturing technology. The National Assembly Chairman said that the Law on Technology Transfer should be amended to prevent Vietnam from becoming a technology dumping ground.

However, whether those policies are put into practice or not depends on the compliance of management agencies and officials. Whoever makes mistakes and causes losses must be clearly held accountable. It is necessary to clarify the responsibilities of each person who has built, participated in, and approved failed investments that have caused waste and serious consequences.

In addition, seriously implementing the Prime Minister's directive is to actively equitize state-owned enterprises. In essence, state-owned enterprises do not have to face domestic competition pressure, they live on the advantage of being favored, easily accessing all resources. But looking at the trillions of losses of many state-owned enterprises, it can be seen that they are reducing the strength of the economy...

China is a developed country with many different levels. They have very high technology, but also backward technology. Their goal is to dump waste to have access to new technology, to improve competitiveness. To gain benefits, they have to do everything they can to push "rotten goods" to us.

That won’t change no matter how much we appeal to them. It’s up to us. Stop “giving them a hand.”

Many warnings about surplus have been issued for industries such as steel, cement, etc., but many businesses, with the support of ministries and sectors, still try to "jump headfirst" into investing in discarded technology from China.

That will cause economic disaster. More than ever, we need to be alert to protect our own country's interests!

According to bizlive