Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung met with the visiting Chinese Minister of Commerce Chen Deming in Hanoi on August 23.

Nguyen asked Minister Chen to convey his regards to Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and stated that Vietnam would actively promote Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic partnership in the spirit of “long-term stability, future oriented, good neighborhood and comprehensive cooperation”. Despite the financial crisis, Vietnam-China trade and economic cooperation still keeps steady development, and bilateral trade volume this year is likely to reach the target of USD25 billion set by the leaders of the two countries. China is the largest trading partner of Vietnam for years. What’s more, China’s investment in Vietnam is on the increase, which plays an active role in promoting the economic development of the two countries. Currently, the rapid development of China’s economy is significant for the regional and global economic recovery. Nguyen hoped that the business community of the two countries could make every effort to enhance bilateral trade and economic cooperation to a new level. Nguyen said China-Vietnam FTA was effective in promoting economic development since its establishment. And therefore, Vietnam will work together with other ASEAN countries to push for further development of the FTA.

Minister Chen conveyed Chinese Premier Wen’s regards to Nguyen and said that fast development of bilateral trade and economic cooperation brought substantial benefits for the two people in recent years. On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of China-Vietnam diplomatic ties, the two countries should make common efforts to create favorable conditions for the constant development of bilateral trade and economic cooperation. And China would like to enhance coordination with Vietnam in the trade and economic cooperation zone construction, support Chinese companies to invest in Vietnam, promote the balanced development of bilateral trade, and develop border trade. Since China-Vietnam FTA was founded, it has vigorously promoted the trade and economic relations between China and ASEAN. Additionally, China is willing to further enhance the coordination and cooperation in multilateral trade and economic affairs like ASEAN.

Minister Chen also held talks with Vu Huy Hoang, Vietnamese Minister for Trade & Industry, and Vo Hong Phuc, Minister for Planning & Investment respectively, and exchanged views on boosting trade, investment and economic cooperation of the two countries on the same day.

Minister Chen arrived in Vietnam on August 23. He will attend China-ASEAN Trade & Economic Ministerial Conference and ASEAN-China-Japan-ROK Trade & Economic Ministerial Conference in Da Nang, Vietnam.