Việt Nam & China cooperate on green development and BRI implementation

28/08/2024 CEN_net Main~ 0

Vietnam’s new President To Lam concluded his state visit to China from August 18-20, resulting in the signing of 14 cooperation agreements and a joint statement with China’s President Xi Jinping.

“Two Corridors, One Belt framework” and the Belt and Road Initiative 

In 2017, Việt Nam and China signed and began implementing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on promoting connection between the Two Corridors, One Belt framework and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Cooperation and connection between Việt Nam and China in general, and connection within the BRI framework in particular, have achieved some significant results, and discussion in December 2023 during Xi’s visit to Hanoi identified further opportunities, which have been further developed during President To Lam’s current visit to China.

During this visit the two countries are understood to have reached preliminary agreement on planning and feasibility studies for standardised railway routes in new step towards the upgrade of cross-border rail links. According to news reports at the time both countries said they would work on cross-border railway connectivity, naming three projects that included one connecting through mountainous Lao Cai in the Vietnam’s northwest to the port city Haiphong and a potential one linking China’s Shenzhen to Haiphong.

Vietnam’s new President’s decision to make China his first state visit emphasizes China’s strategic importance to Vietnam, especially in supply chain and economic cooperation.

The longstanding economic ties between the two nations are set to be strengthened by the agreements reached during the state visit. which will enhance connectivity and trade cooperation. The joint statement between the top leaders reinforced the two countries’ commitment to collaboration.

Strategic connectivity development

China and Vietnam have committed to enhancing strategic connectivity between the two countries, focusing on several key areas, including:

  • Implementing the cooperation plan: Connecting Vietnam’s “Two Corridors, One Belt” Framework with China’s “Belt and Road” Initiative.
  • Supporting key sectors: Encouraging enterprises in high-tech agriculture, infrastructure, clean energy, digital economy, and green development.
  • Accelerating hard connectivity: Enhancing infrastructure such as railways, expressways, and border gate facilities including:
    • Chinese assistance: Supporting Vietnam in planning the Lang Son – Ha Noi and Mong Cai – Ha Long – Hai Phong standard gauge railway lines;
    • Feasibility study: Developing a feasibility study report for the Lao Cai – Ha Noi – Hai Phong standard gauge railway line; and
    • Pilot construction: Speeding up the construction of smart border gates at the Huu Nghi (Vietnam) – Youyi Guan (China) international border gate and the dedicated cargo transport road in the area of boundary markers 1088/2 – 1089 (Tan Thanh – Po Chai).
  • Exploring mineral sector cooperation: Actively studying opportunities for greater cooperation in the key mineral sector.
Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) and Vietnam President To Lam shake hands after a signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on August 19, 2024.

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