Kunming, November 5, 2024 – The Europe Today: Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính, accompanied by a delegation, arrived at Kunming Changshui International Airport in Yunnan province, China, on the morning of November 5. His visit marks the beginning of a working trip to attend the 8th Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) Summit and engage in various bilateral activities.
Invited by Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Prime Minister Chính’s four-day trip will also encompass participation in the 10th Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) Summit and the 11th Cambodia-Laos-Myanmar-Vietnam (CLMV) Cooperation Summit.
Upon arrival, he was welcomed by Liu Fei, a member of the standing board and head of the organisation commission of the Yunnan provincial Party Committee, alongside the Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam, He Wei, and the Vietnamese Ambassador to China, Phạm Sao Mai.
These summits represent the first in-person high-level activities for the GMS, ACMECS, and CLMV frameworks since 2018. Vietnam views these platforms as strategic opportunities to connect with key partners and enhance international support for the development of the Mekong sub-region.
Vietnam’s active participation in these mechanisms underscores its commitment to fostering common interests, enhancing sub-regional cooperation, and mobilizing external resources for national development.
The trip occurs at a time of flourishing Vietnam-China relations, characterized by a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and a shared vision for the future of both nations. Recent high-level visits between the leaders of Vietnam and China highlight this strengthened relationship.
Economic cooperation between Vietnam and China has made significant progress, with bilateral trade reaching $171.9 billion in 2023. China remains Vietnam’s largest trading partner and second-largest export market, while Vietnam is China’s largest trade partner in ASEAN and its fifth largest globally.
This visit emphasizes Vietnam’s dedication to promoting GMS, ACMECS, and CLMV cooperation and aims to create breakthroughs in the Mekong sub-region’s development. It also seeks to further strengthen the friendly ties and comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and China, reinforcing their commitment to a shared future of strategic significance.
