Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang. Photo: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs

On Apr 21, , the Ministry of Foreign Affairs held the routine press briefing in Hanoi, in which Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang has informed the following:

1. Vietnam stands ready to bolster bilateral trade with China towards stable, balance and sustainable development for the benefits of both sides.

Photo: ASEAN Vietnam

“We believe that the international intermodal freight rail line is a safe and effective mode of transportation with many advantages like speed and pricing, which shall contribute effectively to the exchange of goods between the two countries as well as between Vietnam, China, and other markets,” said Hang.

“The rail connectivity is also in line with the two countries’ ties in terms of promoting the cooperation in the Two Corridors – One Belt and the Belt and Road initiative. It’s necessary to add that Vietnam and China are important trade partners to each other,” she added.

An important note mentioned in the press briefing is that Vietnam stands ready to work with China in order to promote bilateral trade between the two countries and bring benefits to both.

In response to reporters’ questions about the recent signing of the security cooperation framework between the Solomon Islands and China, which has prompted concerns about more Chinese influence in the southern Pacific region and security ramifications, Hằng said all countries’ military and defence cooperation activities should be in accordance with international law, especially the UN Charter and other international treaties to which the countries are parties.

These cooperation activities should contribute to the maintenance of peace, stability, security, cooperation, and development in the region and in the world, she added.

Commenting on the launch of several cross-border railway routes for the transport of goods between Vietnam and China, Hang said the rail routes, connecting Vietnam with the Chinese provinces of Sichuan and Anhui, opened on April 15-16.

Transnational rail transport is safe and efficient in terms of time and cost, she said, adding that it will help boost trade between the two countries and also enable Vietnam to connect with other foreign markets.

The launch of the railways will also go in line with the two sides’ policy of enhancing connectivity within the framework of the “Two Corridors, One Belt”, part of the “One Belt One Road” initiative.

She further noted that Vietnam and China remain each other's important trade partners. Last year, total bilateral trade reached US $165.9 billion, up 24.6 % from 2020. In the first quarter of 2022, the figure reached a total of US $40.8 billion, a year-on-year rise of 10.6%.

2. Vietnam Responds to Reports of Planned Military Drills with Russia

This handout photo released on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service shows, Russian navy ships are seen during navy drills in the Black Sea. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)

Regarding media questions on Thursday over Russian reports of planned joint military drills to practice combat training in difficult tactical situations as per a notice by Russia’s Eastern Military District, the Spokesperson for the foreign ministry reaffirmed Vietnam's military cooperation activities are meant to foster friendship and trust.

A videoconference on the planning was organised with the participation of the head of the regional control centre Major General Sergey Lagutkin, head of the department of international military cooperation Colonel Ivan Taraev, and Vietnamese Major General Đo Dinh Thanh.

“Vietnam’s consistent policy is that all of its defence cooperation with other countries – including delegation exchange, joint training and military exercises, games and contests – are meant to bolster friendship, solidarity, mutual trust and understanding, for the sake of peace, cooperation and development in the region and in the world,” stressed the Spokesperson.

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