Vietnamese PM and Chinese Vice Premier Co-Chair Conference on Strategic Transport Infrastructure Cooperation

Beijing, The Gulf Observer: Vietnamese Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính and Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing co-chaired the “Việt Nam-China Cooperation on Strategic Transport Infrastructure Development and the Role of Vietnamese and Chinese Enterprises” conference held in Beijing, China.

Addressing the conference, Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing quoted the Chinese proverb, “If you want to get rich, first build roads,” emphasizing China’s development of a comprehensive, safe, sustainable, and highly efficient transport system. This includes world-leading highways, high-speed railways, airports, and seaports. Zhang also highlighted China’s regional cooperation and investment in transport infrastructure, particularly in Cambodia, Indonesia, and Laos.

Zhang noted the extensive transport connections between Việt Nam and China, encompassing air, sea, road, and rail, and cited successful projects like the Cát Linh-Hà Đông urban railway in Hà Nội. He stressed the importance of these projects under the “Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and the Việt Nam-China Community with Shared Future” frameworks, aligning with China’s “Belt and Road Initiative” and Việt Nam’s “Two Corridors, One Economic Belt” strategy.

Prime Minister Chính emphasized the strategic significance of Việt Nam-China transport infrastructure, facilitating trade, regional, and international integration. He acknowledged challenges, including differences in track gauge for railways and low clearance of border bridges for river transport. Despite these challenges, Chính underscored the potential for enhanced cooperation and urged early implementation of key rail projects such as the Lào Cai-Hà Nội-Hải Phòng line.

Chính also called for increased Chinese participation in Việt Nam’s urban railway projects through public-private partnerships (PPP), the expansion of air routes, and the rapid implementation of road projects, particularly expressways and border road bridges. He highlighted the need for China’s support in concessional loans, advanced technology, and human resource training for Việt Nam’s transport development.

The conference facilitated discussions among ministries, agencies, and transport infrastructure enterprises from both countries, focusing on planning, design, resource mobilisation, land clearance, operation management, and the application of information technology and digital transformation.

In conclusion, PM Chính emphasized the importance of sincere, effective, and trustworthy cooperation, combating corruption, and avoiding cost overruns. He called on major Chinese corporations to invest in large projects, particularly in transport, digital transformation, and clean energy, fostering a high spirit of determination to overcome challenges and achieve mutual benefits.