China, Vietnam join hands to promote trade in post-pandemic era

The China-Vietnam Business Council Meeting is held online and on-site in Nanning on Dec 16. [Photo/China News Service]

The China-Vietnam Business Council Meeting was held online and on-site in Nanning, capital of Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, on Dec 16, gathering around 70 representatives from Chinese and Vietnamese companies.

The event was held by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Total trade between China and Vietnam expanded by 34.3 percent to $148.6 billion in the first eight months of 2021, making China Vietnam's largest trading partner. Vietnam is also China's largest trading partner in ASEAN. 

Zhang Shaogang, vice chairman of CCPIT, said that China has established close cooperative relationships with member countries of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in trade, investment, industrial and supply chains. 

Zhang expressed his hope that more cooperation will take place between China and Vietnam in areas such as textile and garment, agricultural development and food processing as well as clean energy to promote bilateral economic and trade development in the post-pandemic era.

Vietnamese Ambassador to China Pham Sao Mai said in a video speech that customs clearance efficiency at border checkpoints will be further improved, making it easier for Vietnamese products, especially agricultural products, to enter the Chinese market via Guangxi. 

The Guangxi liaison office of the China-Vietnam Business Council unveiled its plaque on the same day, with the aim of further optimizing multilateral and bilateral liaison mechanisms between China and ASEAN countries.