Guangxi and Vietnamese localities should closely follow the high-level consensus between the two countries to foster their comprehensive relations, said General Secretary To Lam said on February 18.
| General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam receives Chen Gang, member of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Secretary of the CPC Committee of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Photo: Vietnam News Agency |
He urged the two sides to enhance friendly exchanges and mutual understanding, and effectively implement mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, especially economic and trade exchanges, infrastructure, science and technology, innovation, and artificial intelligence (AI).
Both sides need to accelerate the pilot development of smart border gates to facilitate customs clearance, especially for Vietnamese agricultural products entering China, and enhance border management, he told a meeting with Chen Gang, member of the Communist Party of China’s Central Committee and Secretary of the Chinese Party Committee of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
The General Secretary encouraged more people-to-people activities between two sides on expectations that the "Vietnam-China Year of People-to-People Exchanges 2025" campaign will be a success to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Vietnam-China diplomatic relations.
Highlighting Guangxi's close ties with Vietnam, he praised its leading role in fostering practical cooperation and friendship between the two countries.
General Secretary To Lam appreciated that authorities of Vietnamese provinces (Quang Ninh, Lang Son, Cao Bang and Ha Giang) and Guangxi have collaborated to organize the annual Spring Meeting for their Party secretaries.
He also supported the innovative idea of inviting Hai Phong city to join this annual meeting.
Developing relations with China is an objective necessity, a strategic choice, and a top priority in Vietnam’s independent, self-reliant, and diversified foreign policy, the General Secretary said.
He expressed confidence that Guangxi’s Secretary Chen Gang will lead the provincial Party, government, and people achieve great successes, and make Guangxi more prosperous.
For his part, Guangxi’s Party Secretary Chen Gang thanked General Secretary To Lam expressed his desire to further promote key areas of cooperation.
He emphasized the importance of exchanging delegations at all levels, expanding mutually beneficial cooperation in economy, trade, investment, education, and scientific research, and advancing the development of AI and big data.
Secretary Chen also called for accelerating the pilot smart border gate project, which will enhance cross-border transportation, boost trade and travel between China and Vietnam and other ASEAN countries, and strengthen people-to-people exchanges between Guangxi and Vietnamese localities.
Guangxi is committed to deepening friendly relations and cooperation with Vietnamese provinces, as the latter are the top priority partners to the Chinese province, he said.
Guangxi will continue to take the lead in fully and effectively implementing the high-level consensus between the top leaders of the two Parties and countries to deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership, and build a Vietnam-China Community with a Shared Future of strategic significance, he added.
