Vietnam, China agree to boost connectivity under Belt Road Initiative

Vietnam and China have agreed to continue enhancing strategic connectivity and cooperation in the framework of the China-led Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry has said.

The consensus was reached between Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his Chinese counterpart Li Qiang last week in Indonesia during the 43rd ASEAN Summit and related meetings, said spokesperson of Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang at a regular press meeting on Thursday.

The two countries will strengthen connectivity on land and by rail in border areas and construct effective and resilient multimodal logistical systems, providing opportunities for businesses and peoples of the two countries and the region, the spokesperson added.

The two governments have signed a memorandum of understanding on connecting Vietnam’s “Two Corridors, One Belt” with China’s BRI. Businesses of the two countries have been transporting cargo along the corridor connecting China’s Chongqing with Vietnam and several ASEAN countries, and from ASEAN to Central Asia and Europe via Vietnam.

Vietnamese Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung attended the eighth BRI summit in Hong Kong, China on September 13-14.

Vietnam welcomes initiatives that promote connectivity and regional economic cooperation on the basis of equality, cooperation, mutual benefit. and respect, in compliance with international law and the UN Charter, towards sustainable development and common prosperity for all nations, she noted.

Vietnam expects the BRI to further promote economic connectivity and support countries to develop infrastructure and expand markets, helping narrow the development gap between them, Hang said.