Standing Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Tuc holds talks with Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang

The meeting took place on the occasion of the Vietnamese official's participation of the 23rd China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) and China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (CABIS).

The two sides spoke highly of the positive and comprehensive progress in Viet Nam-China relations in recent times, and underscored the great importance and top priority that both countries attach to the bilateral relations.

They vowed to further strengthen close cooperation, effectively implement the common perceptions and high-level agreements, work together to successfully organize high-level exchange and contact programs, and promote substantive progress across areas of cooperation.

Pham urged both sides to boost substantive cooperation in defense and security pillar and called on China to facilitate Viet Nam's agricultural exports to the Chinese market.

He emphasized the need to continue deepening collaboration in quarantine and inspection, and soon sign a memorandum of understanding to designate Viet Nam as the featured country for China's "Shared Big Market: Export to China Series Activities" in 2027.

Pham also called for faster progress in railway connectivity, including standard-gauge railway lines linking the two countries, the development of smart border gates and cross-border economic cooperation zones, stronger electricity connectivity, and greater cooperation in science and technology, human resource training, and technology transfer.

Ding, for his part, said China stands ready to promote substantive cooperation projects; accelerate the construction of standard-gauge railway lines connecting the two countries and linking with the China-Europe Railway Express, and smart border gates and cross-border economic cooperation zones; 

China welcomes Viet Nam's participation in the China's "Shared Big Market: Export to China Series Activities" series of activities and stands willing to increase the import of Viet Nam's high-quality agricultural products.

The host suggested both sides make full use of trade fair mechanisms hosted by China to promote balanced and sustainable bilateral trade, adding that China supports capable enterprises in increasing high-quality investment in Viet Nam, contributing to the country's industrialization and modernization.

During the talks, the two sides vowed to enhance coordination at multilateral forums, work together to successfully host APEC Year 2026 and 2027, effectively implement people-to-people exchange programs, and ensure substantive and effective activities during the Viet Nam-China Tourism Cooperation Year 2026-2027./