China Commerce Minister Wang Wentao expressed a commitment to strengthen bilateral trade relations with Vietnam during a meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in Ho Chi Minh City on Saturday. The Chinese commerce ministry reported that Wang highlighted the fruitful results of China-Vietnam trade cooperation and emphasized strategic areas for collaboration, including the digital economy, green development, and cross-border e-commerce.
This pledge comes against the backdrop of heightened competition for influence in Southeast Asia between China and the United States. Vietnam, in September, elevated its ties with the U.S. to a comprehensive strategic partnership, signaling its desire to balance relationships with major powers.
China has been actively engaging with Vietnam on multiple fronts. Earlier this month, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong held talks with Vietnam’s Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Vu on issues ranging from bilateral ties to land borders and maritime concerns. Additionally, there were reports of a potential visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Hanoi in October or November, though the visit may be postponed until December.
Wang’s meeting with Ho Chi Minh City’s Vietnamese Communist Party secretary Nguyen Van Nen further underscores the multifaceted approach China is taking in its engagement with Vietnam. As both nations navigate their economic and geopolitical relationships, the commitment to deepening trade ties is likely to shape the trajectory of their interactions in the coming months.
Read Now:Amitabh Bachchan Gifts Iconic Bungalow ‘Prateeksha’ to Daughter Shweta Nanda
