The Vietnamese Party, Government and people will do their utmost to bring the relations of friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Guangdong to a new level, said Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.

After attending the 8^th Boao Forum for Asia in the Chinese province of Hainan, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung visited Guangdong province on April 18 and 19.

Mr Dung met with Wang Yang, a polibureau member of the Chinese Communist Party’s Central Committee and also the provincial Party chief and Huang Hua Hua, mayor of Guangdong province.

At the meeting, the provincial leaders welcomed PM Dung’s visit to Guangdong, considering it an important event in the relationship between Guangdong and Vietnam. This also reflects the interest of the Vietnamese Party, Government and people in consolidating and strengthening the strategic and comprehensive partnership between Vietnam and China in general, and between Vietnam and Guangdong in particular.

The PM highlighted achievements made by the people of Guangdong in the renewal process, noting that in the context of the global financial crisis, the province still maintains a high economic growth. He expressed his belief that, by taking important measures, the province will overcome difficulties, regain momentum and continue taking the lead in the reform process in China.

The PM spoke highly of a cooperative agreement signed between Guangdong and Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade and Ministry of Planning and Investment. He expressed support for enhancing the friendship between Guangdong and HCM City, considering it a practical measure to further strengthen relations among agencies and localities on both sides.

The Chinese leaders affirmed that Guangdong and other localities in China always attached importance to developing cooperation with Vietnam for mutual benefit. PM Dung’s visit will provide fresh impetus for stronger cooperation between Vietnam and Guangdong, contributing to the development of Vietnam-China relations.

PM attends Vietnam-China Business Forum

During his stay in Guangdong, PM Dung also attended the Vietnam-China Business Forum, held in Guangzhou city, China.

The PM expressed his trust in the bright future of Vietnam-China relations, adding that businesses from both countries will continue to cooperate on many projects. He affirmed that the event is a practical activity for businesses of both countries to share information and seek potential fields for business and investment opportunities.

PM Dung stressed that China is Vietnam’s leading trade partner. Both sides have been implementing a big project to build an economic trade zone in the northern port city of Hai Phong with total investment capital of US$4 billion.

He added that both sides agreed to strive for a trade turnover of US$25 billion by 2010 including a turnover of US$5 billion with Guangzhou.

“We called on Chinese businesses to strengthen investment in Vietnam. The Government of Vietnam pledges to create favourable conditions for Chinese investors, especially investors from Guangdong”, he said.

He expressed belief that Vietnamese and Chinese businesses will continue to sign many trade contracts to further strengthen the friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

Addressing the forum, Mr Wang Yang emphasised that Guangdong and Vietnam will cooperate in the spirit of equality and mutual benefit, utilize advantages, expand two-way trade, promote investment cooperation, and speed up the progress of ongoing cooperation projects. He said he will encourage Chinese businesses to focus on major fields such as infrastructure, agriculture, energy and mineral resources.

VietNamNet/VOV