Visiting Chairman of the National Assembly of Vietnam Nguyen Phu
Trong called on China on Tuesday to provide convenience for
Vietnamese exports to the Chinese market.
Trong, on an official good-will visit to China from April 8 to
15, made the remarks in a joint interview with Chinese media,
saying currently China enjoys a large trade surplus in its trade
with Vietnam.
The total trade volume between China and Vietnam hit almost
US$10 billion in 2006, up 21.4 percent from the previous year.
Vietnam wants to increase exports to the Chinese market, and we
hope China will offer convenience for these exports, Trong
said.
Vietnam and China are implementing the consensus reached by
leaders of the two countries during Chinese President Hu Jintao's
visit to Vietnam last November, Trong said, adding that frequent
high-level exchanges have laid a solid foundation for bilateral
relationship.
China has been the largest trade partner of Vietnam for two
years in a row. Leaders of the two countries have set a target that
bilateral trade volume should hit US$15 billion by 2010.
There are over 400 Chinese investment projects in Vietnam with a
total registered capital of more than one billion US dollars,
according to Trong, who voiced hope that the momentum will be
maintained to promote Vietnam-China economic ties.
Statistics show that trade volume between China and The
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) totaled US$160.8
billion in 2006.
As a member of the ASEAN and a neighbor of China, Vietnam would
like to serve as a bridge to promote China-ASEAN ties, Trong
said.
(Xinhua News Agency April 11, 2007)