PM Phan Van Khai ends working visit to China
Prime Minister Phan Van Khai returned to Hanoi on Thursday afternoon,
successfully concluding his four-day working visit to China.
During his stay in China, the Vietnamese Prime Minister was cordially
received by the General Secretary of the Communist Party and President of
China, Jiang Zemin, and Chairman of the National People’s Congress, Li Peng
and held talks with Chinese Prime Minister Zhu Rongji in a sincere and open
atmosphere of mutual understanding and mutual trust.
During their official talks, the two Prime Ministers agreed to continue
strengthening cooperation in economy, trade and investment to be deserved of
their friendly relationship and comprehensive cooperation potential. They were
also of one mind to boost negotiations on solving the territorial border issue
with focus on the delineation of the Bac Bo (Tonkin) Gulf, so that a treaty can
be reached before the end of this year as agreed upon by leaders of the two
countries.
Both sides agreed to implement a number of key cooperation projects. China
will grant Vietnam a credit of nearly US$ 35 million to upgrade factories built
earlier with Chinese funds. They include the March 8th Textile Mill and the Sao
Vang(Gold Star) Rubber Factory in Hanoi; the Vinh Phuc Textile Mill in Vinh
Phuc Province; the Enamel and Aluminum Factory in Hai Phong City and the
Porcelain Factory in Hai Duong Province. The second credit package valued at
US$ 55 million will be used to expand production of the Thai Nguyen Steel
Complex and Ha Bac Nitrogenous Fertilizer Company. Of the amount, US$ 18
million is non-refundable aid and the remainder is a loan with an interest rate of
zero percent. The loan will be paid in ten years as from 2010.
The Chinese Government will also consider another credit package valued at
US$ 300 million for four construction projects. They are the 100MW Cao Ngan
Thermal Power Electric Plant in the northern province of Thai Nguyen; the 72
MW Rao Quan Hydro Power Electric Plant in the central province of Quang
Tri; the Textile Plant in the central city of Da Nang with an annual capacity of
4,500 tones of fiber and 20 million meters of fabric; and a bronze refinery in the
northern province of Lao Cai with an annual capacity of 10,000 tones of
bronze. Vietnam will complete feasibility studies and put the projects out for
tender. Both sides expect to start the projects as from mid next year.
Meanwhile the import-export of traditional goods between the two countries will
also be strengthened in the coming period. Vietnam will increase its exports to
China including crude oil, rubber products, coal, and seafood and import
petrol, chemicals, fertilizers and steel products from China.
The visit to China by Prime Minister Phan Van Khai was made against a
background that the Sino-Vietnam relations seeing positive developments.
Over the last few years, delegations of senior, ministerial and local officials
from both countries have exchanged many visits. Worthy of note was the
historic visit by Party leader Le Kha Phieu to China in February last year and
the visit to Vietnam by Chinese Prime Minister Zhu Rongji at the end of last
year. New positive steps have been made in bilateral economic, trade, cultural,
science and technology cooperation. Foreign trade turnover reached US$ 1.5
billion last year and is expected to reach US$ 2 billion this year. Economic
exchange, both official and unofficial, has greatly increased. Both countries
have step by step settled territorial border issues. The signing of the Land
Border Delineation Treaty on December 30 last year contributed to
strengthening mutual trust, creating favorable environment for border activities.
The successful working visit to China by Prime Minister Phan Van Khai further
contributed to the consolidation and development of friendly, cooperative,
long-term, stable relations between Vietnam and China towards a better future.
Voice of Vietnam - September 29, 2000.
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