Chongqing - China has expressed support for Vietnam in establishing a consulate general in Chongqing Municipality, Southwest China, as per a joint statement released on December 13, 2023.
The frequency of meetings between representatives from Chongqing and Vietnam since September this year highlights the growing cooperation. Notable meetings include the one on September 15, where Yuan Jiajun, Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Chongqing Municipal Committee, met with To Lam, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee. Additionally, on October 17, Nguyen Minh Hang, Vietnam's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, held talks with Zhang Guozhi, Deputy Mayor of Chongqing, in Hanoi.
The flag of Vietnam flies in the air. (Photo/Canva)
Bridging News recently conducted an exclusive interview with Dr. Tran Thi Thuy of the Institute of Chinese Studies at the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences. The interview, held on December 15, focused on the impact of the new consulate general on China-Vietnam relations. Dr. Tran expressed optimism, stating that this development would enhance bilateral ties and contribute significantly to trade.
Furthermore, Dr. Tran highlighted the recent state visit of President Xi to Vietnam, where over 30 cooperation agreements were signed. These agreements span a range of sectors, including the digital economy, transportation, entry-exit inspection, quarantine, and more. This collaboration underscores the robust momentum of bilateral relations, with trade being a particularly strong aspect.
Dr. Tran Thi Thuy is from the Institute of Chinese Studies at the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences. (Photo/Tran Thi Thuy)
Data reveals that since 2020, Vietnam has consistently been Chongqing's leading trade partner in the ASEAN region for three consecutive years. It accounts for a significant 40% of Chongqing's total trade with ASEAN countries.
Dr. Tran emphasized Vietnam's recognition of the immense potential offered by the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor (ILSTC). This corridor, a collaborative effort between western China's provincial regions and ASEAN member economies, operates out of Chongqing.
In March 2022, a milestone was achieved with the departure of the first China-Vietnam international freight train from Chongqing Guoyuan Port to the Haiphong Industrial Zone in Hanoi, Vietnam's capital.
Before the ILSTC, goods transported from Chongqing to Vietnam typically took around 20 days via water routes to Shanghai. The introduction of the China-Vietnam international freight train has dramatically transformed this process, cutting down transit time to just five days. This has been particularly beneficial for Chongqing-produced items like engines, tires, and printing paper destined for Vietnam.
The corridor has also reduced transportation costs significantly, enabling easier market access for businesses in both Chongqing and ASEAN. Its role in bolstering economic ties and fostering bilateral investments has been pivotal.
By the end of 2022, over 30 Chongqing companies had invested in 21 manufacturing projects in Vietnam, with a total value exceeding 569 million U.S. dollars. These projects span various sectors, including machinery and equipment, agricultural machinery, and automotive and motorcycle parts. Trieu Thuy Nga, head of the Vietnam trade promotion office, shared these insights in a previous interview with Bridging News in June.
"Chongqing is familiar to Vietnamese because we all love hot pot," commented Dr. Tran.
Hoang Bao Long, a tourist guide from Hanoi, also shared his enthusiasm about the potential opening of a consulate general in Chongqing. "I believe more Vietnamese will come to Chongqing," he stated. Hoang, who is fluent in both Chinese and Vietnamese, studied Chinese in Shanghai before returning to Vietnam.
Dr. Tran noted the educational opportunities in Chongqing, particularly at the Sichuan International Studies University, which offers a Vietnamese program. The university annually sends over 60% of its students to Vietnam for exchange programs.
According to Dr. Tran, the establishment of a Vietnamese consulate general in Chongqing would significantly strengthen China-Vietnam relations, indicating a deep and multifaceted partnership. Currently, Vietnam maintains five diplomatic representations in China, including in Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Nanning, and Kunming.
The Chongqing Trade Promotion Office of Vietnam, established in 2015 and the first of its kind in China, has been instrumental in enhancing business relations. It supports the export of Vietnamese products like electronic parts, coffee, and agricultural goods to Chongqing and its surrounding regions.
The historical connection between Vietnam and Chongqing is noteworthy. Ho Chi Minh, founder of the Communist Party of Vietnam, received support from the CPC to study in the Soviet Union in the 1920s. In 1938, he arrived in China and engaged in revolutionary activities. As reported by the Vietnam News Agency, Ho Chi Minh, under the alias Ho Quang, resided and worked in Chongqing's wartime capital at the Eighth Route Army's office in Hongyan Village from 1939 to 1940.
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