Nanning (VNA) – Deputy Prime Minister Vu DucDam attended the opening ceremony of the 16th China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) andChina-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (CABIS) in Nanning, capital ofChina’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, on September 21.

In his speech at the ceremony, Deputy PM Damhighly valued the role of the two events in promoting economic-trade tiesbetween ASEAN and China.

He stressed that Vietnam always join efforts byASEAN and partners to step up the creation of a favourable environment forbusiness, investment and sustainable development on the basis of ensuring countries’legitimate interests and compliance with international law, thereby contributingto peace, cooperation and prosperity in the region and the world.

On this occasion, the Deputy PM had talks withChinese Vice Premier Han Zheng and received Secretary of the Communist Party ofChina Committee of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Lu Xinshe.

During the meetings, Deputy PM Dam emphasisedthat Vietnam attaches importance to developing the friendly neighbourliness andcomprehensive cooperation with China.

He urged the two countries’ governments tosupport and create optimal conditions for exchanges and mutually beneficialcooperation between border localities. He also called on China to take actionsto reduce Vietnam’s trade deficit with it and properly resolve outstandingproblems in the projects with Chinese businesses’ involvement which are drawingthe Vietnamese public’s concern.

Deputy PM Dam also clarified Vietnam’s stance onthe East Sea issue, demanding that China respect Vietnam’s rights andlegitimate interests and not continue the complex situation at sea.

Speaking highly of the new strides incooperation between Vietnamese localities and the Guangxi Zhuang AutonomousRegion, he affirmed that Vietnam treasures the friendship and mutuallybeneficial cooperation between the two countries’ localities, especially borderones.

He said he hopes that Guangxi will work closelywith Vietnamese ministries, sectors and localities to effectively implementexisting mechanisms, step up mutually beneficial partnerships in economy –trade, culture, tourism, education and border management, thereby helping witheconomic development in their border areas.

For their part, the two Chinese officials alsoaffirmed their country’s respect for the friendly neighbourliness and all-roundcooperation with Vietnam.

Vice Premier Han Zheng took note of Vietnam’sopinions about its trade deficit with and farm produce export to China, alongwith the problems related to some big projects in Vietnam. He suggested thatauthorised agencies of both sides continue working together to expand andimprove mutually beneficial cooperation in all fields.

During his stay to attend the CAEXPO and CABIS,Deputy PM Dam attended the opening ceremony of the national pavilion with AnGiang province chosen for the “City of Charm” of Vietnam, and the trade zone ofthe country.

The CAEXPO and CABIS have been held annually inNanning since 2004.

This year’s CAEXPO features 5,000 boothscovering 104,000 sq.m. of 2,500 ASEAN and Chinese businesses. The 150participating Vietnamese firms showcase their products in 250 booths, covering5,000 sq.m. – the largest area among ASEAN countries at the event./.