Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam attended the opening ceremony of the 16th China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) and China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (CABIS) in Nanning, capital of China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, on September 21.

In his speech at the ceremony, Deputy PM Dam highly valued the role of the two events in promoting economic-trade ties between ASEAN and China.

He stressed that Vietnam always joined efforts by ASEAN and partners to step up the creation of a favourable environment for business, investment and sustainable development on the basis of ensuring countries’ legitimate interests and compliance with international law, thereby contributing to peace, cooperation and prosperity in the region and the world.

On this occasion, the Deputy PM had talks with Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng and received Secretary of the Communist Party of China Committee of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Lu Xinshe.

During the meetings, Deputy PM Dam emphasised that Vietnam attaches importance to developing the friendly neighbourliness and comprehensive cooperation with China.

He urged the two countries’ governments to support and create optimal conditions for exchanges and mutually beneficial cooperation between border localities. He also called on China to take actions to reduce Vietnam’s trade deficit with it and properly resolve outstanding problems in the projects with Chinese businesses’ involvement which are drawing the Vietnamese public’s concern.

Deputy PM Dam also clarified Vietnam’s stance on the East Sea issue, demanding that China respect Vietnam’s rights and legitimate interests and not continue to complicate the situation at sea.

Speaking highly of the new strides in cooperation between Vietnamese localities and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, he affirmed that Vietnam treasures the friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries’ localities, especially border ones.

He said he hoped that Guangxi would work closely with Vietnamese ministries, sectors and localities to effectively implement existing mechanisms, step up mutually beneficial partnerships in economy – trade, culture, tourism, education and border management, thereby helping with economic development in their border areas.

For their part, the two Chinese officials also affirmed their country’s respect for the friendly neighbourliness and all-round cooperation with Vietnam.

Vice Premier Han Zheng took note of Vietnam’s opinions about its trade deficit with and farm produce export to China, along with the problems related to some big projects in Vietnam. He suggested that authorised agencies of both sides continue working together to expand and improve mutually beneficial cooperation in all fields.

During his stay to attend the CAEXPO and CABIS, Deputy PM Đam attended the opening ceremony of the national pavilion with An Giang province chosen for the “City of Charm” of Vietnam, and the trade zone of the country.

The CAEXPO and CABIS have been held annually in Nanning since 2004.

This year’s CAEXPO features 5,000 booths covering 104,000 sq.m. of 2,500 ASEAN and Chinese businesses. The 150 participating Vietnamese firms showcase their products in 250 booths, covering 5,000 sq.m. – the largest area among ASEAN countries at the event.