In 2022, Vietnam and China will celebrate the 72nd anniversary of the establishment of the two countries. What are your comments about the relations in recent years, especially after the 14th meeting of the Steering Committee for Vietnam–China Bilateral Cooperation?

In recent years and especially since the beginning of the year, high ranking leaders of the two Parties and States have been maintaining regular exchanges which determine the orientation for the development of the two countries.

Other high ranking officials, such as the two heads of the Central Organizing Committees, the Central Committees’ Propaganda Departments, Vice Chair of the National Assembly of Vietnam and Deputy Chair of the of the National People's Congress (NPC) of China; the leaders in charge of the Departments of Foreign Affairs as well as other ministries and branches, have maintained online phone conversations.

At the 14th meeting of the Steering Committee for Vietnam–China Bilateral Cooperation last July, the two sides exchanged views about all cooperation fields and potential in the time to come.

The two Ministers of National Defence chaired friendly exchange activities last April.

The two countries have strengthened cooperation to settle the problems posed by the pandemic, and maintained goods clearance and trade exchange.

According to China’s customs, bilateral trade turnover in 2021 reached $230 billion, while the figure was $170 billion in the first nine months of 2022.

In 2022, cooperation in pandemic prevention and control has been a highlight. China provided vaccines to Vietnam under the mode of aid and commercial sales. The two countries are drawing up plans to resume people-to-people exchange activities. Four direct air routes have resumed. We welcome and encourage Vietnamese students to come back to China to study.

What are the opportunities and challenges that Vietnam-China relations will face in the time to come? What do you think about the prospects of Vietnam-China cooperation, especially in trade and investment?

In terms of cooperation opportunities, I think that the most outstanding thing of the two countries is political strength. Under the leadership of the Communist parties, the two countries have maintained long-term political and social stability.

Vietnam and China have defined development goals for the next 10, 20 and even 30 years. A long-term vision for bilateral relations can be set based on the goals.

Another opportunity is cooperation in trade and investment. Vietnam and China have close relations in the supply chain. As two neighboring countries, we have favorable conditions for infrastructure and transport connections.

Also, the development periods of the two countries prove to be similar. China is in the new period of construction and development and it focuses on high-quality development promotion. Meanwhile, Vietnam is accelerating the implementation of the goals set forth by the 13th Party Congress. It is carrying out transformation and improving capability, and it considers industrialization as the nation’s strategic goal. Therefore, the two countries can strengthen cooperation and support each other.

Regarding challenges, they mostly come from the environment outside and international upheavals, including both traditional and non-traditional challenges which have affected supply chains.

In order to develop, the two countries need a peaceful and stable international environment, stability and inclusive economy as well as free trade. Meanwhile, there have been challenges with multilateralism, trade protectionism and the disruption of supply chains.

I can say for sure that after the 20th Party Congress, China will continue to pursue a diplomatic policy which attaches much importance to Vietnam and the China-Vietnam relationship. China will continue supporting Vietnam to implement its strategic goals, help Vietnam carry out transformation, improve capability, develop a green economy and adapt to climate change.

Chinese enterprises have built a waste treatment plant in Hanoi and have been building four other waste-to-electricity plants.

At a meeting with Vietnamese PM Pham Minh Chinh, you affirmed that China does not pursue a trade surplus policy with Vietnam. Could you please talk about the solutions to trade balance and economic cooperation opportunities between the two countries?

I have to reaffirm that China doesn’t pursue a trade surplus in doing trade with Vietnam. When Vietnam makes a product, it needs to import materials from other countries. This is one of the reasons behind Vietnam’s trade deficit.

It’ll take time to solve the problem. We are trying to apply some measures to balance trade between the two countries, which was included in the joint statement after Trong’s visit.

In the short term, China may import more products from Vietnam, such as fruits and seafood. In the medium and long term, China will support transformation and upgrading in the field of industry and accelerate industrialization.

I think that the trade imbalance will be solved by the progress in Vietnam’s industrialization.

You have many times mentioned the willingness of people-to-people exchanges. How has this been implemented?

During his talks with Trong, General Secretary and President Xi Jinping emphasized the need to continue strengthening people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, especially enhancing mutual understanding of the young generations.

There are many Chinese dramas and Chinese stars that Vietnamese people love. Vietnam has a high number of students studying Chinese, who could act as the bridge for the two countries. China has announced it will provide no fewer than 1,000 government scholarships to Vietnamese students in the next five years.

Tran Thuong - Pham Hai - Xuan Minh