Accelerating Transportation Infrastructure Connectivity Between Vietnam and Guangxi, China: Prime Minister’s Urgent Call to Action

Welcoming Comrade Wei Hao to Vietnam, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh highly appreciated that this was Comrade Wei Hao’s first overseas visit after assuming the position of Chairman of Guangxi Province. He also noted that the visits by many senior leaders of Guangxi demonstrate the region’s special emphasis on its relationship with Vietnam.

Chairman Wei Hao expressed his joy at visiting Vietnam for the first time in his new role, congratulated Vietnam on its significant socio-economic achievements, and shared his confidence that the Party and Government of Vietnam would lead the people in overcoming the aftermath of recent storms and floods.

Comrade Wei Hao affirmed that Guangxi places great importance on and prioritizes the development of friendly cooperation with Vietnamese ministries, sectors, and localities. Guangxi is committed to effectively implementing high-level common perceptions, making practical contributions to the development of relations between the two Parties and countries.

In a warm and friendly atmosphere, both sides expressed delight at the positive development of the Vietnam-China Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership. Exchanges and cooperation between Vietnamese ministries, sectors, and localities with Guangxi have achieved encouraging results, with notable highlights including strengthened friendly exchanges, artificial intelligence cooperation emerging as a new bright spot, accelerated infrastructure connectivity (especially railways), and significant progress in customs facilitation, border gate cooperation, and cross-border industry pilot projects.

Acknowledging Guangxi as a close neighbor with deep historical ties to Vietnam’s revolutionary history—a place that preserves many traces of President Ho Chi Minh’s revolutionary activities and those of other Vietnamese leaders—Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized Guangxi’s vital role in pioneering exchanges and cooperation between the two countries. He noted that the potential for cooperation between Guangxi and Vietnamese ministries, sectors, and localities remains vast.

Looking ahead, the Prime Minister expressed his hope that both sides would strengthen local and people-to-people exchanges, enhance the effectiveness of cooperation mechanisms between Guangxi and Vietnamese ministries, sectors, and enterprises, and accelerate infrastructure connectivity, particularly the standard-gauge railway lines Lang Son – Hanoi and Mong Cai – Ha Long – Hai Phong.

Additionally, he proposed building pilot smart border gates at the Huu Nghi – Youyi Guan international border gate pair and other eligible locations, promptly identifying models and implementing pilot cross-border economic cooperation zones. He also called for improving customs clearance efficiency to facilitate the flow of goods, especially agricultural, forestry, and aquatic products from Vietnam to China and third countries.

The Prime Minister also proposed strengthening cooperation in green economy, clean energy, science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation, particularly in artificial intelligence applications. He suggested collaborating on iconic projects symbolizing bilateral relations, effectively managing the land border, and actively addressing arising issues to build a peaceful, stable, friendly, cooperative, and developmental land border between Vietnam and China.

Expressing sincere gratitude for Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s attention and insightful guidance, Chairman Wei Hao affirmed that the cooperation potential between Guangxi and Vietnamese ministries, sectors, and localities remains immense. He hoped both sides would accelerate infrastructure connectivity, enhance customs clearance efficiency, and promote smart border gates and cross-border trade.

He also emphasized focusing on artificial intelligence cooperation, strengthening talent training in science and technology, improving border management, and combating cross-border crimes. Additionally, he called for enhancing cultural exchanges to deepen the Vietnam-China Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership, bringing practical benefits to both localities and peoples.