Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, his wife and high-ranking government delegation arrived in Hainan province, China on October 20 to begin an official visit to China at the invitation of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.

A welcoming ceremony for Mr Dung and his wife was held at Haikou International Airport in the presence of Hainan provincial authorities, Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam, Hu Qianwen, and Vietnamese Ambassador to China Nguyen Van Tho.

In the afternoon, Mr Dung and his delegation visited a forwarding port, an oil refinery and a 300,000 ton oil dock in the national Yang Pu economic zone which has an area of 30 km2 and a population of around 50,000.

Leaders from the Yang Pu economic zone affirmed their determination to build this area into a large maritime transport, forwarding and export manufacturing centre for Southeast Asia while turning it into an economic engine for the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area and economic cooperation within the belt of the Tokin Gulf. They also expressed their wish to cooperate with Vietnamese enterprises in maritime transport and processing of chemicals as well as industrial and oil products.

PM Dung said the Yang Pu economic zone is an important link in promoting trade, economic and investment ties between Vietnam and China as well as between Vietnam, China and ASEAN nations.

The Government leader praised businesses and localities from both countries for increasing their investments and developing trade links for the benefit of both sides. He also expressed hope that both countries would soon open a maritime transport route running from Yang Pu port in Hainan province to Hai Phong port, Danang city and HCM City in order to make practical contributions to boosting bilateral trade ties.

The same day, the Secretary of the Hainan Provincial Party Organisation gave a banquet in honour of PM Nguyen Tan Dung, his wife and delegation.