Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on September 3 attended the 2013
ASEAN-China Expo (CAEXPO 2013) and the 10th ASEAN-China Business and
Investment Summit (CABIS), which kicked off in Nanning city, Zhuang
Autonomous Region in China’s Guangxi province.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, PM Dung noted that China has been
the first and the most important external trading partner of the
Association of South East Asian Nations.
After the
two sides signed their Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Economic
Cooperation in 2002, a series of agreements were also inked, including
those on trade in goods, trade in services, and on investment,
completing all pillars of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA),
the very first free trade area that ASEAN established with a partner
state, he cited.
On this firm foundation, two-way
trade between both sides has maintained speedy growth, averaging 22
percent per year. China has repeatedly been the largest trading
partner of the bloc, while the former has been the latter’s third
biggest trading partner, he said.
China’s
direct investment in ASEAN member countries has been growing, while
connectivity among businesses and people of both sides has been
increasing, he added.
PM Dung said he is delighted
that both ASEAN and China have made continuous efforts and
initiatives to build an even better foundation for development.
He confirmed that Vietnam always supports and attaches much
importance to the cooperation between ASEAN and China, while
expressing his belief that the framework will help promote bilateral
ties between Vietnam and China.
The
Vietnamese Government also encourages and creates all possible
conditions for Chinese enterprises as well as those from ASEAN to invest
in Vietnam, he affirmed.
Vietnam also
favours the consideration and discussion of the upgrade of the ACFTA to
suit the common interests of both parties and for mutual development and
benefit, he added.
The Vietnamese PM said together
with multifaceted cooperation, all disputes and differences in the
region need settling in a responsible and effective manner. Together,
all parties should build mutual trust and political will and consult
each other to take peaceful measures for the settlement on the basis of
international law, while seeking suitable solutions that are accepted by
all sides.
Addressing the opening ceremony, Chinese
Premier Li Keqiang underscored the significance of the events, which
mark the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the China-ASEAN
strategic partnership and fuel the two-way trade target of 500 billion
USD before 2015.
He said the fruitful outcomes of
the cooperation between China and ASEAN over the past time, which he
described as beneficial for everyone involved, are of practical
significance for the common development of both sides.
The Chinese Premier said strengthening cooperation with neighbouring
nations in the bloc is a priority in the country’s external policy.
China always backs an ASEAN of strong development for peace,
stability and prosperity in the region, he affirmed, adding that his
country welcomes, encourages and creates favourable conditions for
businesses from ASEAN to invest in China for the common benefit of
both sides.
The annual CAEXPO, jointly held by
China’s Ministry of Trade, the 10 ASEAN member countries and the ASEAN
Secretariat, is considered one of the top ten Chinese exhibitions and
become an important mechanism to promote friendship and trade ties among
ASEAN member states and China.
As many as 110
Vietnamese enterprises showcased their products at 200 out of the 4,600
pavilions at the expo this year, more than any other participating ASEAN
or regional country.
The expo is divided into five
themed areas, with the highlight being the “Beautiful City” field
featuring each nation’s major cities, including Quy Nhon city in
Vietnam’s central Binh Dinh province.
The CABIS,
initiated in 2004, is an important annual high-level forum between ASEAN
and China, aiming to grow their strategic partnership and hastening
the establishment of an ASEAN-China free trade area.
PM Dung arrived back in Hanoi later that day, concluding his trip to China.-VNA