Meeting with Chen, PM Chinh underscored the significance of consecutive annual visits by Guangxi's Party leaders, showing the region's commitment to deepening ties with Vietnamese localities.

Chen, on his first visit to Vietnam, hailed the country’s development and reaffirmed Guangxi’s focus on reinforcing relations, particularly with the four bordering Vietnamese provinces. He pledged to effectively realize high-level common perceptions to beef up cooperation between the two Parties and nations.

As Chairman of the Regional People's Congress Standing Committee, Chen is in Vietnam for a New Year meeting with Party secretaries from Quang Ninh, Lang Son, Cao Bang, and Ha Giang provinces.

During discussions, both sides acknowledged positive progress in collaboration, in line with the growing Vietnam-China Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and the Vietnam-China community with a shared future. This progress is evident in expanding economic and trade ties, with bilateral trade reaching US$42 billion, strengthened transport connectivity, cultural and educational cooperation, and improved border management.

PM Chinh appreciated Guangxi's historical ties with Vietnam, noting its significance in President Ho Chi Minh’s revolutionary activities. He highlighted Guangxi’s role as China's leading province in fostering exchanges with Vietnam and serving as a gateway between China and ASEAN. The Government leader urged both sides to innovate and enhance cooperation mechanisms to deliver tangible benefits to their people.

For future collaboration, he called for accelerated transport infrastructure connectivity, particularly the Lang Son-Hanoi and Mong Cai-Ha Long-Hai Phong standard-gauge railway projects. He also emphasized the importance of expediting the construction of a smart border gate at the Huu Nghi-Youyi Guan international border crossing to facilitate Vietnamese exports and enhance collaboration in science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation. Additionally, he advocated for large-scale, iconic joint projects and robust people-to-people exchanges while ensuring effective land border management.

Chen agreed with the PM’s proposals, laid stress on the vast potential for further cooperation. He expressed hopes for strengthened transport connectivity, particularly railway links, and swift development of smart border gates to improve trade efficiency. He also suggested advancing cross-border economic collaboration, starting with a pilot industrial cooperation zone between Guangxi and Quang Ninh.

Furthermore, he revealed plans for a China-ASEAN artificial intelligence cooperation center in Nanning, aiming to foster collaboration with Vietnam and ASEAN nations in this field. He invited Vietnamese leaders to attend the 22nd China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) in Nanning from September 17-21 and sought Vietnam’s support for the event.

Receiving Cuban Minister of Foreign Affairs Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, PM Chinh affirmed that the visit would further reinforce the special Vietnam-Cuba friendship. He emphasized Vietnam's deep appreciation for its 65-year relationship with Cuba and its enduring gratitude for the solidarity and assistance provided by leader Fidel Castro, as well as the Cuban Party, State, and people.

Amid a complex global landscape, Vietnam remains committed to standing with Cuba, sharing experience, and supporting the country in overcoming challenges and harnessing its strengths for commong development.

PM Chinh proposed intensifying delegation exchanges at all levels and ensuring the effective implementation of high-level agreements reached during Party General Secretary and State President To Lam's visit to Cuba in September 2024. He underscored the importance of enhancing the Vietnam-Cuba Intergovernmental Committee mechanism and prioritizing cooperation in food production, renewable energy, biotechnology, healthcare, and tourism. He also suggested joint activities to celebrate the 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties (December 2, 1960 - 2025) and boosting coordination at multilateral forums.

Minister Rodríguez Parrilla expressed Cuba's profound gratitude for Vietnam's solidarity and practical support, particularly in agriculture and food security. He reaffirmed Cuba's commitment to consolidating and fostering the traditional friendship and special cooperation that President Ho Chi Minh and Fidel Castro had established.

Congratulating Vietnam on its socio-economic progress and innovation, he expressed interest in exchanging experience across a variety of fields. Both sides agreed to actively carry out measures to deepen economic, trade, and investment cooperation in line with their special political relationship as a contribution to peace, stability, and development in both regions and in the wider world.

PM Chinh extended an invitation for his Cuban counterpart Manuel Marrero Cruz to visit Vietnam at a suitable time.

Vietnam, Cuba reaffirm special friendship through high-level phone talks

VOV.VN - General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee To Lam on February 4 held phone talks with First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba (CPC) Central Committee and President of Cuba Miguel Díaz-Canel.