Speaking to the press in Beijing about achievements over the past year, Xu Ningning, Chairman of the Industrial Cooperation Committee under the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), said that in 2025, marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Vietnam, bilateral economic and trade cooperation recorded notable and effective results, providing vivid evidence of the traditional friendship described as “both comrades and brothers.”

Xu said that for many consecutive years, China has been Vietnam’s largest trading partner, while Vietnam has been China’s largest trading partner within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Complementary cooperation in areas such as agriculture and manufacturing has continued to deepen, bringing practical benefits to the people of both countries.

Looking ahead, the RCEP Industrial Cooperation Committee chairman said China-Vietnam economic and trade cooperation has broad prospects and strong potential.

First, deeper integration of industrial chains, combining China’s market scale and technological strengths with Vietnam’s manufacturing vitality, can help build a more resilient regional supply chain.

Second, expanding cooperation in emerging fields, including joint research, development and application in areas such as new energy, the digital economy and the green economy, will support Vietnam’s industrial upgrading.

Third, stronger infrastructure connectivity, including cooperation on road, railway and port projects, will help further reduce trade costs. Fourth, to facilitate regional flows, China and Vietnam, as two major drivers of the regional economy, need to boost coordination within the RCEP framework, jointly promote regional economic integration and safeguard the free trade system.

Xu expressed confidence that through joint efforts, China-Vietnam economic and trade cooperation will achieve higher-quality development on its existing foundation and become a model for regional cooperation.

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