Industry and Trade On the morning of September 30, 2024, in Beijing, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien and the Vietnamese delegation held a working session with the Minister of Industry and Information Technology of China.

Within the framework of the 13th Session of the Vietnam-China Economic and Trade Cooperation Committee held in Beijing, on the morning of September 30, 2024, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien and the Vietnamese delegation had a working session with the Minister of Industry and Information Technology of China.

Also attending the meeting, on the Vietnamese delegation side, were representatives from the Government Office, along with leaders of relevant Departments and Agencies under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, such as: the Asia-Africa Market Department, the Industry Agency, the National Research Institute of Mechanical Engineering, the Industry and Trade Newspaper, and Commercial Counselor of the Vietnam Trade Office in Beijing, Nong Duc Lai...

On the Chinese side, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology was represented by Comrade Jin Zhuanglong - Minister of Industry and Information Technology of China, along with several leaders, officials, and experts working at the Ministry.

Overview of the working session between Minister Nguyen Hong Dien and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China

Speaking at the meeting, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien expressed gratitude to Minister Jin Zhuanglong and his colleagues for taking the time to receive the delegation. On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the National Day of the People's Republic of China, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien extended congratulations on the great and important achievements that the Communist Party of China, the State, and the Chinese people have attained over the past 75 years, especially since the 20th National Congress.

Minister Nguyen Hong Dien expressed confidence that under the strong leadership of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core, and guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the Communist Party of China, the Government, and the Chinese people will comprehensively build a modern socialist power and successfully achieve the second centenary goal.

Emphasizing the significance of this working visit to China, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien stated that the delegation's purpose was to implement the common perceptions of the senior leaders of Vietnam and China following the state visit of General Secretary and President To Lam to China last August, while continuing to promote economic, trade, and industrial cooperation between Vietnam and China.

Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien speaking at the meeting and proposing solutions to promote the development of bilateral relations; the two ministries proposed cooperation in the automotive industry, consumer goods industry, minerals, supporting industries...

Earlier, the Vietnamese delegation also held a working session with Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao to exchange and discuss solutions to promote economic and trade development between the two countries. In particular, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien expressed gratitude to Minister Jin Zhuanglong and his colleagues for their active coordination in signing the "Memorandum of Understanding on Industrial Cooperation between the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China." The signing of this document is of great significance, serving as a basis for the two sides to promote cooperation in areas of strength for the development of each side's industry, while also fostering cooperative relations between the two ministries.

Reviewing the development of Vietnam's industrial sector in recent years, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien noted that industrialization and modernization are consistent and unwavering policies of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the State of Vietnam. After nearly 40 years of reform, especially in the 10-year period from 2011 to 2020, industrialization and modernization have driven Vietnam's economic growth to remain high, averaging 6.17% per year, making Vietnam a developing country with middle income.

According to the Minister, Vietnam's industrial sector has been restructured towards reducing the proportion of mining and rapidly increasing the proportion of processing and manufacturing industries; several large-scale industries with competitive capacity and a solid position in the international market have been formed. The scale of industrial production has been continuously expanded.

Furthermore, the infrastructure of industrial parks and clusters has developed, contributing to attracting domestic and foreign investors to develop industrial production, especially in sectors and fields with potential, advantages, and high added value.

"The advantage of geographical proximity and Vietnam's participation in a series of free trade agreements with broad partners such as EVFTA, CPTPP, RCEP have brought the production and supply chains between Vietnam and China closer, creating more cooperation opportunities for enterprises operating in the industrial sectors of the two countries" - Minister Nguyen Hong Dien remarked.

Leaders of relevant Departments, Agencies, and Institutes of the Ministry of Industry and Trade accompanying Minister Nguyen Hong Dien at the working session

To set directions for promoting faster and stronger industrial cooperation between Vietnam and China, in addition to effectively implementing the newly signed agreement, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien proposed:

First, the two sides need to strengthen cooperation in the automotive industry. Promote cooperation with some large-scale corporations/enterprises that have invested in Vietnam, and cooperate with automobile manufacturing and assembly enterprises in Vietnam in implementing the production of commercial vehicle products suitable with the orientation of the Government and the Vietnamese market.

Second, cooperation in the consumer goods industry. According to the Minister, China's food industry is applying advanced technologies such as 5G and artificial intelligence to improve business operations in the food processing sector. The use of high technology in the production activities of processing companies has brought positive signals to the food industry in China.

In addition, high technology is also applied in other areas of the food industry such as packaging and transportation.

Furthermore, he proposed that the Chinese side coordinate to organize seminars to share experiences for learning and development, and support Vietnam in the process of applying and upgrading technology lines, minimizing the level of raw material waste in food processing.

Third, in the field of minerals, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien proposed that the two sides promote cooperation in science and technology, technology transfer in mineral exploration, exploitation, processing, and utilization to improve efficiency, reduce resource loss, enhance labor productivity, improve product quality, be environmentally friendly, and comply with Vietnamese laws, regulations, and standards.

"The Ministry of Industry and Trade hopes that Chinese enterprises will increase investment in mineral exploitation and processing projects requiring advanced and modern technology and equipment, ensuring environmental protection and having product markets" - Minister Nguyen Hong Dien shared.

Fourth, in the supporting industry sector, the Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade proposed that the two sides strengthen exchanges and sharing of experiences, central and local policy mechanisms on supply chain development. Promote linkages between Chinese FDI enterprises and Vietnamese domestic enterprises.

In addition, he proposed that the Chinese side increase support for Vietnamese enterprises to deeply participate in supplying products and services to foreign investors; share information, organize training courses to support Vietnamese officials and experts in managing and developing industries.

"The Government of Vietnam is implementing attractive policies to attract foreign enterprises interested in investing in Vietnam in the fields of foundational industries, supporting industries, mechanical engineering technology, manufacturing industries... and also in new energy fields. Therefore, I sincerely hope that Minister Jin Zhuanglong will pay attention and promote cooperation between the two sides" - Minister Nguyen Hong Dien proposed that the two sides focus on promoting cooperation to implement three railway routes connecting Vietnam and China (Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong; Lang Son - Hanoi; Mong Cai - Ha Long - Hai Phong).

Minister of Industry and Information Technology of China Jin Zhuanglong agreed with the proposals from the Vietnamese side and affirmed that he would create conditions and wholeheartedly promote economic and industrial cooperation between the two ministries and the two countries

Appreciating the proposals from the Vietnamese side, Minister Jin Zhuanglong welcomed the Vietnamese delegation, led by Minister Nguyen Hong Dien, who were on a working visit to China and meeting with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China to promote industrial cooperation between the two countries.

Minister Jin Zhuanglong highly appreciated the Memorandum of Cooperation signed between the two ministries in August 2024, noting that the two sides could establish regular cooperation and exchange mechanisms to further promote economic and industrial cooperation. Pointing out areas with great potential for cooperation between the two countries, Minister Jin Zhuanglong stated that enterprises from both countries could promote cooperation in areas of mutual interest such as raw materials, automotive industry, electrical industry, and coordinated development of industrial park systems...

"Currently, many major automobile manufacturers in China have plans to expand investment, production, and business into Vietnam. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China is committed to supporting Chinese enterprises to expand investment in Vietnam, based on the needs of each country" - Minister Jin Zhuanglong informed and proposed that the Vietnamese side also provide Chinese enterprises with mechanisms, policies, and a more favorable business environment for their development.

Regarding the proposal for cooperation in the mineral sector, Minister Jin Zhuanglong affirmed that this is an area with great potential for both sides. "We are ready to engage in in-depth exchanges with Vietnam, support enterprises from both sides to research and implement cooperative projects in mineral exploration, exploitation, and processing, on the principle of complying with the laws and policies of the two countries" - Minister Jin Zhuanglong affirmed.

At the working session, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China both affirmed that industrial cooperation between Vietnam and China still has much room for growth.

Affirming that industrial cooperation between Vietnam and China still has much potential, Minister Jin Zhuanglong proposed that the two sides need to promote and develop industrial supply chains; promote cooperation in the electrical industry, consumer goods industry, supporting industries, and promote aerospace technology development...

Notably, during the meeting, Minister Jin Zhuanglong also emphasized the potential and space for cooperation between the two countries in the aerospace industry. "China has its own space station, independently developed by China. In previous years, China together with Thailand and other Asian countries established the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization. We hope that in the coming time, Vietnam will also become a member of this organization" - Minister Jin Zhuanglong proposed, while calling on Vietnam to cooperate with China in aircraft manufacturing and production. The Chinese side is ready to cooperate with Vietnam in exchanging and sharing experiences, technology transfer, and jointly promoting the development of the aerospace industry.

Minister Nguyen Hong Dien and Minister of Industry and Information Technology of China sharing a warm handshake after the working session

Minister Nguyen Hong Dien taking a group photo with the Minister of Industry and Information Technology of China

Thanking Minister Jin Zhuanglong for his sharing, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien noted that the areas of cooperation proposed by the Chinese side are all areas where China has strengths and Vietnam has needs, especially in aerospace cooperation. Minister Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed China's priority in cooperating with neighboring and close countries, including Vietnam, for mutual development under the philosophy "If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together."

Therefore, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien affirmed that within its functions and authority, the Ministry of Industry and Trade will create the maximum conditions to support Chinese enterprises in expanding their investment and business in Vietnam.

Minister Nguyen Hong Dien expressed confidence that, based on the signed Memorandum of Understanding and today's working session, the two agencies will have positive and effective cooperative activities in the future, contributing to deepening the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership in accordance with the common perceptions reached by the senior leaders of the two countries.

On this occasion, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien also extended an invitation to Minister Jin Zhuanglong and his colleagues at the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China to arrange a visit to Vietnam and work with the Ministry of Industry and Trade at the earliest opportunity.

Source: Industry and Trade Newspaper