Prime Minister meets with regional leaders at GMS Summit

Making Yunnan and Lao Cai become trade connection centers

On the morning of November 6 in Kunming, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with Mr. Wang Ning, Secretary of the Yunnan Provincial Party Committee.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister emphasized the strategic role Yunnan Province plays in the broader Vietnam-China relationship. He proposed that Yunnan lead in implementing high-level agreements and joint statements, strengthen exchanges with Vietnamese provinces, and aim to increase bilateral trade between Vietnam and Yunnan to $5 billion.

Additionally, he discussed transforming Yunnan and Lao Cai into central trade hubs connecting China and ASEAN, advancing pilot initiatives for a smart border gate system, improving collaboration on flood discharge regulation, disaster prevention, and expediting procedures for Vietnamese citizens living in Yunnan.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh also expressed his hope that both sides will closely coordinate in border management and protection under the framework of the three land border agreements, as well as in organizing events to mark the 25th anniversary of the Land Border Treaty and the 15th anniversary of the three related legal agreements in 2024.

In response, Secretary Wang Ning agreed with the Prime Minister’s key points and reiterated Yunnan’s commitment to maintaining a strong, cooperative relationship with Vietnam. He assured that Yunnan is ready to work with relevant Vietnamese ministries, sectors, and localities to carry out the shared vision of General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping and Vietnam’s General Secretary To Lam.

Promoting economic and trade cooperation between Vietnam and Laos

On the same day, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held a bilateral meeting with Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone.

The two leaders reviewed recent developments in bilateral cooperation, highlighting the close coordination between their governments to advance the outcomes of high-level exchanges and agreements. Notably, they discussed the results of President To Lam's state visit to Laos in July 2024 and the meeting of both Politburos in September 2024. They also committed to actively implementing these high-level agreements and thoroughly preparing for the upcoming 47th Meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee of the two countries.

Both sides agreed to deepen their cooperation on defense and security, continue maintaining border security, and promote a peaceful, friendly, stable, and sustainably developed Vietnam-Laos border.

The two Prime Ministers also committed to advancing economic and trade cooperation. Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone emphasized Laos’s prioritization of and support for Vietnamese businesses investing in Laos, especially in strategic sectors such as infrastructure, energy, high technology, and transport connectivity. He expressed a desire to foster stronger economic links between Laos and Vietnam and work together to enhance the legal framework that facilitates trade and investment activities.