He made the statement in a recent interview with VOV correspondents in Beijing while attending the third session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) of China.

According to Chen, limited transportation capacity has hindered freight and trade activities between the two sides. He noted that during his recent visit to Vietnam, he reached a high consensus with Vietnamese leaders and neighboring provinces on expediting railway connectivity. Both sides have included the construction of the Dong Dang - Hanoi and Hai Phong - Ha Long - Mong Cai railway lines, which will link with Guangxi, in their key agenda and are moving towards detailed planning.

He further stated that Guangxi had completed its first high-speed railway line near the Vietnam-China border, connecting Fangchenggang and Dongxing, in 2023. In the future, this line is expected to connect with the Hai Phong - Ha Long - Mong Cai railway.

Additionally, another railway from Chongzuo to Pingxiang is set to be fully operational by the end of this year, with plans to link it with the Dong Dang - Hanoi route.

He said he hope the cross-border railway will be completed soon, allowing trains to operate more quickly and efficiently, thereby intensifying stronger economic, trade, and cultural exchanges between the two nations.

According to Vietnam’s Ministry of Transport, approximately US$13 billion will be needed to develop these two railway lines. The ministry has tasked the Vietnam Railway Authority with coordinating research and planning with the Chinese side, aiming to finalize a detailed plan by 2025. This will serve as the foundation for assessing feasibility and determining the investment roadmap.

Beyond railway connectivity, Guangxi is also ramping up AI cooperation with ASEAN member states, including Vietnam. Secretary Chen emphasized that humanity is undergoing rapid advancements in scientific and technological innovation, with AI at the forefront. AI is not just a technology but represents a new era, and every country should embrace it as soon as possible.

He assured Guangxi’s willingness to bolster AI co-operation with ASEAN members, including Vietnam, based on mutual benefits, cooperation, and shared success. The first step will be to offer training programs to help Vietnamese officials understand large language models (LLMs) and challenges, opportunities, and advantages associated with their development.

"I greatly admire the Communist Party of Vietnam’s strategic decision to promote scientific and technological innovation and digital transformation, elevating these areas to a national strategy. Guangxi has its own strengths, and Vietnam has its own advantages. The two sides can work together to develop AI, learning from each other’s strengths while resolving weaknesses. Guangxi is ready to support and assist ASEAN member states, including Vietnam, in keeping pace with AI advancements," he affirmed.

Chen also revealed that the China-ASEAN AI Innovation Cooperation Center, set to be established in Nanning, Guangxi, will operate based on principles of mutual respect for sovereignty and data security. The center will collaborate with ASEAN to promote AI development and applications, including research on large language models in ASEAN languages, such as Vietnamese. This initiative aims to help people keep up with the digital era while enjoying the benefits and new experiences brought by technology.

He emphasized that Guangxi will actively seek support from the Chinese central government and domestic AI enterprises, pooling resources from Nanning and Guangxi to support the AI development needs of governments, businesses, and research institutions in Vietnam and other ASEAN member states. The goal is to jointly embrace the AI-driven future, he added.

China’s Guangxi donates COVID-19 medical supplies to Vietnam

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