Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy Prime MinisterTrinh Dinh Dung hosted a reception for Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam Xiong Boin Hanoi on January 21

Deputy PM Dung noted that China is now thebiggest import market and the second largest export market of Vietnam. Withmore than 2,800 investment projects, China is ranked seventh among countriesand territories having direct investment in Vietnam.

He, however, said these results, thoughpositive, still have not met the aspirations and potential of the two countries.

The Deputy PM suggested that the two countriescontinue implementing effectively agreements and common perceptions and maintainexchanges at all levels, especially among high-ranking officials, whilepromoting cooperation in all fields, especially economy, trade and investment.

He hoped the Chinese ambassador will helpVietnam export its strong products to China, contributing to the trade balancebetween the two countries.

The two nations should work together to handleoutstanding problems in some projects so that they would not affect theprestige of Chinese investors, Dung said, adding that the two sides should carryout new projects matching China’s level of development and technology, thus helpingdeepen the bilateral comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

For his part, the Chinese ambassador conveyedthe best regards of Chinese Party and State leaders to their Vietnamesecounterparts on the occasion of the traditional New Year and the 70th foundinganniversary of Vietnam-China diplomatic ties.

He congratulated Vietnam on its remarkablesocio-economic achievements in 2019, and expressed his pleasure at the goodrelations in diverse fields, especially economy, trade and investment.

Two-way trade was estimated at 116.8 billionUSD in 2019, a year-on-year rise of 9.5 percent, he said, noting that one thirdof which was the value of Vietnamese farm produce exported to China.

He agreed with the goal of developing thebilateral trade in a healthy, balanced and sustainable manner, adding thatChina is continuously promoting and expanding imports from Vietnam, particularlyagricultural products.

The diplomat went on saying that the bilateral cooperationin transportation and infrastructure development has reaped important outcomes.

Chinese leaders are very interested in the constructionof Cat Linh-Ha Dong urban railway and have urged the Chinese general contractorto go to Vietnam to discuss in depth with Vietnamese relevant agencies toaddress existing obstacles to put the project into operation soon.

Deputy PM Trinh Dinh Dung said he has orderedthe Ministry of Transport and relevant agencies to work with the Chinese generalcontractor to solve outstanding problems in order to put the project intooperation with ensured safety./.