MoIT leader holds talks with Chinese Minister of Industry and Information Technology

Attending the meeting were representatives from the Vietnamese Government Office, the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s (MoIT) Asia-Africa Market Department, Industry Agency, Mechanics Research Institute, Newspaper of Industry and Trade (CôngThương), and the Commercial Counselor of the Vietnamese Trade Office in Beijing, Nong Duc Lai, in addition to the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology’s representatives.

Overview of the meeting between the Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien and the Chinese Minister of Industry and Information Technology Jin Zhuanglong

In his remarks at the meeting, Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien expressed his gratitude to Minister Jin Zhuanglong and his colleagues for taking the time to meet with the Vietnamese delegation. On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien extended his congratulations on the great and significant achievements that the Chinese Party, government and people have reached over the past 75 years, especially since the 20th National Congress.

Dien expressed his belief that under the strong leadership of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, and guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, China will successfully build a modern socialist power and achieve the second centenary goal.

Emphasizing the significance of his current mission to China, Minister Dien said the purpose of the delegation is to implement the common understandings of the high-level leaders of Vietnam and China following the state visit of Vietnamese General Secretary and President To Lam to China in August, as well as to continue promoting economic, trade and industrial cooperation between Vietnam and China.

Prior to this, the Vietnamese delegation met with China’s Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao to exchange and discuss solutions to boost economic and trade development cooperation between the two countries. Notably, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien expressed his thanks to Minister Jin Zhuanglong and colleagues for their active cooperation in signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Industrial Cooperation between Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade and China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. This document holds significant importance as a foundation for both sides to promote key areas of cooperation to develop their respective industries, as well as to enhance cooperation between the two ministries.

Reviewing the development of Vietnam’s industrial sector in recent years, Minister Dien noted that industrialization and modernization are consistent and continuous policies of the Vietnamese Party and State. After nearly 40 years of reforms, particularly in the 10-year period from 2011 to 2020, industrialization and modernization have driven Vietnam’s economic growth to an average of 6.17 percent per year, positioning Vietnam as a developing country with middle-income status.

According to Dien, Vietnam’s industrial sector has been restructured to reduce the proportion of mining industries and rapidly increase that of processing and manufacturing industries. Several large-scale industries with strong competitiveness and a solid position in the international market have been developed, and the industrial production capacity has continuously expanded.

Moreover, the development of industrial and economic zones has contributed to attracting both domestic and foreign investors, especially in the fields with potential, advantages and high added value.

“The geographical proximity between Vietnam and China and Vietnam’s participation in a series of free trade agreements with large partners, such as the EVFTA, CPTPP, and RCEP, have brought the production and supply chains of Vietnam and China closer together, creating more cooperation opportunities for businesses in the industrial sectors of both countries,” Minister Nguyen Hong Dien said.

Setting out directions to further accelerate industrial cooperation between Vietnam and China, in addition to effectively implementing the newly signed MoU, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien suggested:

Firstly, both sides need to enhance cooperation in the automotive industry. Efforts should be made to promote collaboration with large corporations/enterprises that have already invested in Vietnam, as well as with automobile manufacturing and assembly companies in Vietnam, in the production of commercial vehicles that align with the directions of the Government and the Vietnamese market.

Secondly, the two sides should promote cooperation in the consumer goods industry. According to the Minister, China’s food industry is applying advanced technologies, such as 5G and artificial intelligence, to improve business operations in the food processing sector. The use of high technology by processing companies has brought positive signs to the Chinese food industry.

High technology is also applied in other areas of the food industry, such as packaging and transportation.

The Minister requested the Chinese side to coordinate in organizing seminars for experience sharing to support Vietnam in applying and upgrading technology lines, and minimizing material waste in food processing.

Thirdly, in the field of minerals, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien suggested that both sides promote cooperation in science and technology, as well as technology transfer in exploration, exploitation, processing, and utilization of minerals, aiming to enhance efficiency, reduce resource loss, improve labor productivity and product quality, and ensure environmental friendliness, in accordance with Vietnam’s legal regulations and standards.

“The MoIT hopes that Chinese enterprises will increase investment in mineral exploitation and processing projects that require advanced and modern technology and equipment, ensure environmental protection, and have a market for their products,” Minister Nguyen Hong Dien shared.

Fourthly, in the supporting industry, the Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade proposed that both sides enhance exchanges and share experiences, as well as central and local policy mechanisms for developing supply chains. Efforts should be made to promote the linkage between Chinese FDI enterprises and Vietnamese companies.

In addition, the Minister requested the Chinese side to enhance support for Vietnamese enterprises to engage more deeply in supplying products and services to foreign investors; share information and organize training courses to assist Vietnamese officials and experts in managing and developing industries.

“The Vietnamese Government is implementing attractive policies to attract foreign investment in foundation industries, supporting industries, mechanical technology, manufacturing industries, as well as in new energy sectors. Therefore, I hope Minister Jin Zhuanglong will pay attention to and promote cooperation between the two sides,” Minister Nguyen Hong Dien suggested that both sides focus on promoting cooperation to implement three railway projects connecting Vietnam and China (Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong; Lang Son - Hanoi; Mong Cai - Ha Long - Hai Phong).

Appreciating the proposals from the Vietnamese side, Minister Jin Zhuanglong welcomed the Vietnamese delegation, led by Minister Nguyen Hong Dien, on a mission to China to work with the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology to promote industrial cooperation between the two countries.

Minister Jin Zhuanglong highly appreciated the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two ministries in August 2024. The two sides can establish regular cooperation mechanisms to further promote the development of economic and industrial cooperation.

Regarding potential cooperation areas between the two countries, Minister Jin Zhuanglong said that Chinese and Vietnamese businesses can promote cooperation in areas of mutual interest such as raw materials, automobile industry, electricity industry, and coordination in developing industrial park systems... “Currently, many large automobile companies in China have planned to expand investment, production and business in Vietnam. The Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology pledges to support Chinese enterprises to expand their investment in Vietnam, based on the needs of each country” – the Chinese minister said and asked the Vietnamese side to provide Chinese enterprises with preferential mechanisms and policies to facilitate their development.

Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien (L) and the Chinese Minister of Industry and Information Technology Jin Zhuanglong

As for the proposals for cooperation in the mineral sector, Minister Jin Zhuanglong affirmed that this is a field that both sides still have a lot of potential. “We are willing to work with Vietnam to support enterprises of both countries to research and implement cooperation projects on exploration, exploitation and processing of minerals on the principle of complying with the policies and laws of the two countries” – the Chinese minister said.

As there is still much room for industrial cooperation between Vietnam and China, Minister Jin Zhuanglong proposed that the two sides promote and develop industrial supply chains; promote cooperation in the fields of electricity industry, consumer industry, supporting industry, and aerospace industry.

Notably, at the meeting, Minister Jin Zhuanglong also emphasized the potential and space for cooperation between the two countries in the field of aerospace industry. “We hope that in the future, Vietnam will be a member of China's space station” - Minister Jin also called on Vietnam to cooperate with China in the field of aircraft production and manufacturing. China is ready to exchange and share experiences with Vietnam in technology transfer to jointly promote the development of the aviation industry.

For his part, Vietnamese minister Nguyen Hong Dien said that the cooperation areas proposed by China are all areas that China has strengths and Vietnam has demand, especially in aerospace cooperation. Minister Dien welcomed China’s priority in cooperating with neighboring and close countries to develop the industrial sector, including Vietnam.

Therefore, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien affirmed that, within its functions and powers, the Ministry of Industry and Trade will create the most favorable conditions to support Chinese enterprises to expand their investment and business in Vietnam.

Minister Nguyen Hong Dien believes that, based on the signed MoU, the two ministries will have effective cooperation activities in the future, contributing to deepening the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between Vietnam and China according to the common perception of the two countries’ senior leaders.

On this occasion, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien also invited Minister Jin Zhuanglong and his colleagues from the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology to visit Vietnam and work with the Ministry of Industry and Trade in the nearest time.