26-11-2023 (BEIJING) Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao expressed his commitment to strengthening bilateral trade relations with Vietnam during a meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in Ho Chi Minh City on Saturday. China’s Ministry of Commerce reported that Wang highlighted the already fruitful results of China-Vietnam trade cooperation and emphasized the strategic areas of focus, including the digital economy, green development, and cross-border e-commerce.
The competition for influence between China and the United States in Southeast Asian nations, including Vietnam, has been intensifying. In September, Vietnam elevated its ties with Washington to a comprehensive strategic partnership, placing the former adversary on equal footing with Beijing and Moscow.
Earlier this month, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong engaged in “frank and friendly talks” with Vietnam’s Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Vu in Hanoi, covering bilateral ties, land borders, and maritime issues.
Sources familiar with the matter had informed Reuters last month that Vietnamese and Chinese officials were preparing for a potential visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Hanoi in late October or early November. However, three diplomats based in Hanoi later indicated that the visit was likely to be postponed until December.
During his visit to Vietnam, Wang also met with Nguyen Van Nen, the Vietnamese Communist Party secretary of Ho Chi Minh City, as reported by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce.
