Vietnam along with ASEAN member countries aims to realize the ASEAN Community Vision 2025, expand cooperation with China based on international law and for mutual benefits, in turn contributing to peace, stability and prosperity of the region and for the world, according to Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.
| Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc delivers a speech at the opening ceremony. Photo: VNS. |
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the virtual 17th China – ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) and the China – ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (CABIS) on November 27, Mr. Phuc referred to the determination of the two countries’ leaders in ensuring efficiency in the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership.
At a time when the Covid-19 is causing severe economic impacts globally, the ASEAN – China cooperation has grown strongly, especially in trade and economy, said Mr. Phuc.
In the first six months of this year, ASEAN for the first time became China’s largest trading partner, with Vietnam contributing 20% of total trade turnover.
Vietnam, as the ASEAN Chair 2020, would continue to promote unity and cooperation within the bloc against the Covid-19 pandemic while realizing the bloc’s central role in regional security issues, the PM stated.
Mr. Phuc also highlighted the recently signed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) between ASEAN and five partners (China, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand and Australia), which would create a large market with 2.2 billion people and a combined GDP of US$26.2 trillion, or one third of the world's.
During the previous CAEXPO editions, Vietnam was always the country with the largest number of enterprises among ASEAN to take part in the event, noted Mr. Phuc.
At the ceremony, China’s President Xi Jinping said the country considers ASEAN a priority of its neighborhood diplomacy and the Road and Belt Initiative.
China is willing to cooperate with ASEAN to boost cooperation in various fields, aiming to promote shared prosperity in the region, noted Mr. Xi.
Mr. Xi outlined four major points to tighten China – ASEAN relations, including (i) enhancing strategic mutual trust and further synergizing joint development plans; (ii) elevating economic and trade cooperation and facilitating an early and full recovery of the regional economy; (iii) enhancing innovation in science and technology and deepening cooperation on the digital economy; (iv) strengthening cooperation against Covid-19 and enhancing capacity building in public health.
This year, over 80 affiliates of Vietnamese enterprises in China and 100 from Vietnam took part in the virtual CAEXPO with a variety of products from agricultural products, processed food, craft products, tourism, and services, among others.
