Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung made the statement while receiving Chinese Minister of Commerce Chan Deming in Hanoi on August 23.

He noted that two-way trade between Vietnam and China has increased significantly in recent years, reaching US$20 billion last year.

In the past seven months, bilateral trade hit US$13 billion and is expected to amount to US$25 billion by the end of this year.

As the two countries have great potential for cooperation, Mr. Dung said, they should work closely to iron out snags to boost their economic, trade and investment ties.

Minister Chen expressed his wish that the Vietnamese government facilitate efforts by Chinese investors to seek opportunities for cooperation and promote investment in Vietnam.

The Minister said he hopes Vietnam in its capacity as ASEAN 2010 Chair would support and assist China to expand cooperation in all areas with other ASEAN member countries.