Cabinet leader sanguine on future China-ASEAN relations

He praised ASEAN’s dynamic economic development amidst the stagnant global economy, saying that after 25 years, the ASEAN-China relations continue to be a successful model in cooperation between ASEAN and its major partners. 

Last year, China-ASEAN trade turnover reached US$ 470 billion, 60 times higher than 25 years ago. 

PM Phuc said to date expo has played an important role in broadening the China-ASEAN strategic partnership.  Vietnam joins this year’s expo as the rotational honorary country and has 250 booths, covering over 5,000 square metres. 

According to the Vietnamese Prime Minister, Vietnam has participated in 12 trade agreements and investors have opportunities to penetrate markets of 55 partner countries, including 12 countries from G20.

The PM highlighted Vietnam’s growth potential and socio-economic targets in line with the sustainable development goals in the 2016-2020 period, as well as the country’s determination in actively integrating into the world, responsibly making contributions to joint efforts of the region and the world.

Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli reviewed cooperation policies and activities between China and ASEAN over the past years, saying his nation China sticks importance to the affiliation with the ASEAN.

He also gave proposals on policies and orientation for bilateral cooperation in the coming time, underlining the strengthening of political trust to lay firm foundation for partnership in economy, trade, production capacity, resource connection, and people-to-people contacts.

First held in Nanning in 2004 following China ’s initiative, the annual exhibition has served as an important channel for fostering trade and investment cooperation between China and ASEAN.