Print article

COVID-19 combat not affect trade activities with China

VGP – Deputy Spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry Doan Khac Viet reaffirmed the Vietnamese Government’s determination to fight the COVID-19 epidemic without closing border with China, at the press conference on February 20.

February 21, 2020 10:15 AM GMT+7

The Government had said that it pursues the dual mission of fighting the epidemic and exploring possible solutions to maintain trade and people-to-people exchanges.

Related to the question about the meeting between Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the 5th Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (MLC) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Vientiane, Laos, during which China suggested restoring travel between the two sides, Viet said that:

With the view to preventing the outbreak of COVI-19 that may cause harm to the health of Vietnamese citizens, the Vietnamese Government has coordinated closely with the Chinese side to monitor trade and transport activities between the two sides. 

Over the past time, Viet Nam has only stopped travel via unofficial bordercrossings. There have been no regulations to stop operation of border gates except for measures to tighten management of the epidemic.

Accordingly, all Chinese, foreigners and even Vietnamese from China or epidemic-affected regions must be isolated for 14 days right at the border gates and all vehicles shall be monitored.

Cross-border trade activities between the two nations at border gates have been gradually resumed despite introduction of quarantine measures. 

When asked about commitments of the Chinese FM in reply to Deputy PM Minh’s suggestion on China’s upcoming activities to improve Viet Nam’s trade deficit with China, the Deputy Spokesperson said that:

Deputy PM, FM Pham Binh Minh referred to Viet Nam’s trade deficit in Viet Nam-China trade relations, proposing China launch measures to improve the situation to head to trade balance for the two sides./. 

By Thuy Dung