ASEAN and China should continue to push for stronger economic linkage by taking advantage of regional free trade agreements and tap into the potential of the digital economy and society.

Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh attends the event via a video link. Photos: Duc Tuan

“In 30 years of China-ASEAN relations, we have maintained dialogue and pushed for stronger cooperation, in turn contributing to peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and of the world.”

Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh gave the remarks at the launching ceremony of the China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) and the 18th China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (CABIS) via a video link on September 10.

Thanh said as ASEAN and China are facing unprecedented challenges from the Covid-19 pandemic, both sides should bolster solidarity and regional cooperation to fight off the pandemic and accelerate the economic recovery process.

In this regard, the deputy prime minister suggested a greater focus on the Covid-19 response, including vaccines cooperation and enhancing the healthcare capabilities of ASEAN countries.

Thanh stressed the Vietnam-China ties are moving in the right direction, adding the Vietnamese Government would continue to support foreign companies, including those from China, to invest and do business in Vietnam in all fields.

Overview of the 18th CABIS.

In return, China should further open the market and allow more farm produce from Vietnam to penetrate this market, especially seasonal products, Thanh added.

CAEXPO and 18th CABIS were held on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of ASEAN-China relations, which is also the first year of the 2021-2025 joint-action plan focusing on sustainable development in the mid-and long-term.

This year, Vietnam participated in these events with the largest number of enterprises among ASEAN countries with 80  on-site and 200 via online format, taking this opportunity to introduce Vietnam’s key products such as farm produce, seafood, wooden products, handicraft, and consumer goods.

CAEXPO, first launched in 2014, has been seen as a major platform to boost bilateral trade between China and ASEAN. In this year’s four-day event, 26 high-level forums and 148 trade-economic promotion activities are scheduled to take place.