Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao pledged to deepen bilateral trade ties with Vietnam during a meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in Ho Chi Minh City, China’s commerce ministry said.
Wang said China-Vietnam trade cooperation had already achieved “fruitful results” and further dealings would include strategic areas such as the digital economy, green development and cross-border ecommerce, according to a readout published late Saturday by the Chinese ministry.
China and the United States have been jostling for influence among South-East Asian nations including Vietnam, which in September elevated its ties with Washington to a comprehensive strategic partnership, putting its one-time enemy on par with Beijing and Moscow.
Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong held “frank and friendly talks” on bilateral ties, land borders and maritime issues with Vietnam’s Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Vu in Hanoi earlier this month.
Wang also met Ho Chi Minh City’s Vietnamese Communist Party secretary Nguyen Van Nen on Saturday. — Reuters
