Vietnam, China to enhance railway connectivity under Belt Road Initiative

Vietnam and China decided to enhance cooperation on railways and other infrastructure projects in order to facilitate trade flows between the two countries during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s two-day visit to Hanoi.

The sides agreed to implement the plan on cooperation by promoting connectivity between the “Two Corridors, One Belt” framework and the Belt and Road Initiative, widely known as the BRI, according to a joint statement.

The two governments will promote a 1.435m- gauge railway across the Vietnam-China border, study and push for the Lao Cai-Hanoi-Hai Phong standard-gauge line. The port city of Hai Phong is Vietnam’s international gateway in the northern region.

They will also study the Dong Dang-Hanoi and Mong Cai-Ha Long-Hai Phong standard-gauge routes at appropriate times.

During a Sunday interview with the press on the eve of Xi’s visit, Chinese ambassador to Vietnam Xiong Bo said that China stands ready to provide ODA for Vietnam to upgrade and innovate lines running from Guangxi to Dong Dang (Lang Son province) to Hanoi.

China and Vietnam are hastening progress on the Hekou, Yunnan-Lao Cai-Hanoi-Hai Phong railway project. A pre-feasibility study has been initiated, added the diplomat.

In addition, the two countries plan to accelerate the connection and construction of border infrastructure, including a road bridge across the Red River in the Bat Xat (Vietnam) - Ba Sa (China) border area, according to the joint statement.

Businesses of the two countries are encouraged to cooperate in the fields of road, bridge and railway infrastructure, clean electricity, telecommunications, and logistics; continue close coordination and facilitate cooperation in road, aviation, and railway transport; and strengthen logistics cooperation.