Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy Prime MinisterVuong Dinh Hue stressed the importance of Yunnan in Vietnam-China relationswhile receiving Standing Deputy Governor of the Chinese province of ZongGuoying in Hanoi on April 1.

The host congratulated Yunnan on its majordevelopment achievements, including an economic growth rate of 8.9 percent –the third fastest in China – and the gross domestic product of over 266 billionUSD in 2018.

He noted that trade between Vietnam and Yunnanincreased by 13 percent last year from 2017 to reach 4.15 billion USD. Coordinationin border management has been maintained, helping to enhance the two countries’comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

As a province sharing a border and traditionalfriendship with many Vietnamese localities, Yunnan is very important toVietnam-China ties, Deputy PM Hue said, asking the two sides to strengthendiplomatic, trade, and investment links.

They should also increase experience sharing inurban and rural management and economic development at both central and locallevels. Yunnan and Vietnam’s ministries, sectors, and localities should alsoboost the implementation of cooperation mechanisms and programmes like thejoint working group of the Vietnamese provinces of Ha Giang, Lao Cai, Lai Chau,and Dien Bien alongside Yunnan province.

They need to promote the economic corridorrunning through the Chinese province and Vietnam’s Quang Ninh province, Hai Phongcity, capital city of Hanoi, and Lao Cai province, he noted, calling for moreexchanges between residents in border areas.

At the meeting, the Deputy PM also asked Yunnanto facilitate bilateral trade by importing more high-quality agricultural productsfrom Vietnam and supporting investment from Vietnamese firms in the province.

For his part, Deputy Governor Zong congratulatedVietnam on its recent socio-economic attainments, stressing that Yunnansupports the common perceptions reached by the two countries’ leaders ondeveloping the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

He said his province is calling on Vietnameseand Chinese businesses to partner with each other. 

The official also proposed some solutions forthe Vietnamese Government towards reinforce bilateral relations, includingrenovating the transit rail route from Lao Cai province to Hai Phong city tohelp facilitate trade between Yunnan and China’s southwestern region withVietnamese localities, bringing Yunnan’s goods to more international markets.

In response, Deputy PM Hue said he will ask theVietnamese Ministry of Transport to consider the railway renovation project andreport it to the Government for approval.–VNA