Co-operation on transport, tourism, tax, customs, culture and education had been enhanced in the economic corridor between China’s Yunnan Province and Vietnam’s Hanoi, Lao Cai, Hai Phong and Quang Ninh.

The three-day conference was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Gia Khiem, Chinese Ambassador to Viet Nam Sun Guaxiang, other Vietnamese ministers and representatives of the provinces.

In a speech delivered at the meeting, deputy PM Khiem said that the conference has enhanced the vital role of the localities in promoting co-operation between the two countries.

Khiem said the development of the economic corridor linking Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province, and four Vietnamese localities under the co-operation framework of “two economic corridors and one belt,” signed by the two countries in 2006, was of great significance.

The development of the economic corridor would promote bilateral co-operation on transport, tourism, health, environment, science and technology, agriculture and education and training, said Khiem.

“Under the agreed framework, many important economic projects and programmes have been carried out; exchanges through border gates and trade turnover have continuously increased. The achievements have helped improve people’s living conditions as well as bolster socio-economic development in their border areas,” he said.

Chinese Ambassador to Viet Nam Sun Guaxiang expressed his happiness at the co-operation between the two countries with last year trade turnover amounting to US$20 billion.

“China has been Viet Nam’s largest partner for the last consecutive five years. Viet Nam, in turn has been the China’s second largest building contractor in ASEAN,” he said.

He added that China has expanded its investment in the country. In the first nine months of the year, total investment was over $150 million.

Participants heard that in the context of global economic downturn and financial crisis, the five cities and provinces have strengthened their co-operation, facilitating businesses in commercial transactions and investment stimulation.

“We have spared no effort to implement last year’s agreements. Roads and bridges have been constructed along the corridor. In Lao Cai-Hekou alone, the number of tourists increased to 1.2 million. Trade turnover through the border was $430 million,” said chairman of the Ha Noi People’s Committee Nguyen The Thao.

Sharing the idea, Yunnan vice governor Gu Zhaoxi said that as many as 57 businesses in the province had invested in Viet Nam to the tune of $115 million.
“The Vietnamese provinces have been Yunnan’s second largest trade partner,” he said.

After five years of co-operation since the first conference held in September 2004, Chinese investors are present in 52 out of 64 cities and provinces of Viet Nam. Of the localities, Hai Phong City, mountainous Lao Cai and northeastern Quang Ninh provinces have received the highest investment.

“In parallel, Viet Nam has invested in nine projects in China at a cost of $13 million, mostly centred on the service sector,” said the Ministry of Planning and Investment.
Ha Noi had granted seven licences to Yunnan businesses to establish representative offices in the city.

Chairman of the Lao Cai People’s Committee Nguyen Huu Van said the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade formed an office to grant certificates of origin in Lao Cai to create favourable conditions for export activities. Also in the province, four commercial banks were allowed to carry out international and cross border payments with banks in Yunnan.

According to the Ministry of Transport, key traffic routes have been upgraded including the Ha Noi-Lao Cai Expressway, and the Noi Bai-Ha Long, Mong Duong-Mong Cai roads in Quang Ninh.

The localities have closely co-ordinated to improve seaport systems to increase goods transport through the Kunming-Quang Ninh-Hai Phong route.

“As traffic system in the corridor completed, it will be an important condition to push ahead economic, commercial and investment relations between Viet Nam and China,” Sun Guaxiang said.

The cities and provinces in the corridor will continue to co-operate in production and business; encouraging businesses to invest in tourism and infrastructure development as well as strengthen exchanges in culture, health care and epidemic prevention, agriculture and social issues.

Also at the conference, Thao spoke of the forthcoming 1,000th year anniversary of Thang Long-Ha Noi and asked provinces to mark the event with activities of their own.
Participants from the localities attended a programme to vote for Ha Long as one of the world’s seven natural heritage sites.

In the afternoon, they signed a minute of the fifth conference in the presence of the two countries’ leaders.

VietNamNet/VNS