Vietnam supported and would join other ASEAN countries and China in implementing cooperative initiatives within the framework of expanded Tonkin Gulf economic cooperation.

Deputy Minister of Transport Le Manh Hung speaks at the forum (Source: VNA)

Speaking at the ongoing sixth Tonkin Gulf Economic Cooperation Forum held in Nanning, in south China\'s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Transport Le Manh Hung highlighted seven prioritised fields for cooperation defined in a feasibility study report on how the expanded Tonkin Gulf economic cooperation, including infrastructure construction, seaports and transport, trade and investment facilitation, agriculture and environmental protection, would be a foundation for implementing future joint activities.

The Deputy Minister said the “Vietnam-China two corridors and one belt” initiative and economic cooperation areas on the border between Vietnam and China played an important role within the framework of the expand Tonkin Gulf economic cooperation.

He also noted that the implementation of the cooperative initiatives was based on the principles of equality, common interests and respecting international law, independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of participating countries.

ASEAN countries and China should have solid action plans, focusing on increasing possibilities for regional connectivity, creating conditions for economic exchange and implementing the “ASEAN Connectivity Master Plan”, the Deputy Minister said.

Held on Aug. 18-19, the sixth forum drew about 400 delegates from China and member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to discuss measures to increase regional transport infrastructure connectivity, promote trade and investment, tourism and financial cooperation in the expanded Tonkin Gulf economic cooperation area.