Ha, who addressed the 9th China-South Asia Expo and the 29th Kunming Import and Export Fair in Kunming on the same day, congratulated Yunnan on its successful organisation of the event, affirming Vietnam prioritises its comprehensive, friendly cooperation with China, and strongly supports close ties between Vietnamese localities and Yunnan province.

He welcomed the positive momentum in bilateral trade, with Vietnam - Yunnan trade volume surging by 17.8% year-on-year in 2024 to US$3.13 billion.

He expected that the two sides would strengthen existing frameworks such as annual Secretary conferences and joint working groups with Lao Cai, Ha Giang, Dien Bien, and Lai Chau, as well as the Kunming–Lao Cai–Hanoi–Haiphong–Quảng Ninh economic corridor.

Ha proposed that the two sides boost railway cooperation on the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong route; expand commercial aviation and river transport links; and upgrade border checkpoints and cross-border infrastructure.

He stressed the need for both sides to set a US$5 billion trade ambition, enhance mutual recognition of quarantine and testing results, deepen energy sector integration, especially electricity grid interconnectivity, and accelerate modernisation of border crossings for peace, stability, and increased flows of people and goods.

The Deputy PM encouraged Yunnan to offer more scholarships to Vietnamese students in STEM, transportation, and railway studies. He also proposed that the two sides jointly manage border regions, open new and upgrade existing border gates, promote environmental protection, exchange hydrological and monsoon data, and pursue sustainable river basin governance.

Governor Wang for his part affirmed that Yunnan values its friendly cooperative relationship with Vietnam, and stands ready to work with Vietnamese localities to effectively implement the common perceptions of the two countries’ top leaders.

He agreed to collaborate closely on infrastructure, energy, agriculture and anti-crime initiatives, including tackling cross-border drug trafficking and online scams, while enhancing people-to-people exchanges to fortify the China–Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and the shared future envisioned by the two countries.

Vietnam pushes for regional trade connectivity at China expo

VOV.VN - Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha emphasised the importance of promoting linkages and sharing opportunities for harmonious, sustainable, and inclusive development among economies while addressing the 9th China-South Asia Expo and the 29th Kunming Import and Export Fair in Kunming on June 19.