Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held a series of meetings with leading Chinese corporations on June 24 to discuss strengthening cooperation with Vietnam in the areas of infrastructure development, finance, trade, and investment, according to a report from the Vienam News Agency.

The meetings were part of his working visit to China, where he is attending the 16th Annual Meeting of the New Champions of the World Economic Forum (WEF Tianjin 16).

During a meeting with the PM,  Mr. Ge Haijiao, Chairman of the Bank of China (BOC), said that BOC was the first Chinese bank to be licensed in Vietnam, having opened its branch there in 1995. Expressing BOC’s intention to expand its footprint and investment in the Vietnamese market, he said the bank stands ready to offer comprehensive financial services to support major infrastructure projects in the country.

PM Chinh urged BOC to promote financial and monetary cooperation between the two countries, and provide large-scale and concessional financing for priority sectors in Vietnam. 

The Prime Minister recommended that BOC strengthen collaboration not only with the public sector but also with Vietnam’s private enterprises, and explore participation in the restructuring of underperforming banks.

In a separate meeting with Mr. Wang Tongzhou, Chairman of China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), and senior executives of the firm—recognized as a global leader in infrastructure development and active in Vietnam for over 30 years—PM Chinh praised the company’s effective operations in Vietnam, especially in infrastructure and railway development.

Mr. Wang affirmed the company’s commitment to continuing its involvement in key infrastructure projects in Vietnam, including the Lao Cai–Hanoi–Hai Phong railway, the North–South high-speed railway, metro lines in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, seaports such as Lach Huyen and Can Tho, as well as expressways and offshore wind power developments.

PM Chinh encouraged CCCC to explore potential collaboration with the Vietnam Railways Corporation, as well as with the railway management authorities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. He proposed that the company consider public-private partnership (PPP) models as a viable approach for engaging in infrastructure development projects in Vietnam.

During the talks with PM Chinh, Mr. Chen Wenjian, Chairman of the China Railway Engineering Corporation (CREC), expressed CREC’s desire to further support Vietnam’s infrastructure development. He proposed exploring investment cooperation models for railway and urban transportation projects in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Since entering the Vietnamese market in 2005, CREC has been involved in several major projects, including the Dung Quat shipbuilding plant, the modernization of signaling systems along the Vinh–Ho Chi Minh City railway line, the Hanoi urban railway, and various wind power initiatives.

The Vietnamese Government leader encouraged the corporation to actively participate in cross-border railway projects connecting Vietnam and China—specifically the Hai Phong–Hanoi–Lao Cai, Dong Dang–Hanoi, and Hai Phong–Mong Cai lines—as well as the strategic North–South high-speed railway.

He also urged CREC to coordinate closely with relevant Vietnamese authorities to accelerate the conclusion and implementation of specific cooperative projects.

During a working session on the same day with Mr. Dai Hegen, Chairman of China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC)—one of the world’s leading and most comprehensive construction conglomerates—PM Chinh informed the CRCC delegation that Vietnam is expediting preparations to begin construction of the Hai Phong–Hanoi–Lao Cai railway by the end of 2025. He urged CRCC to coordinate closely and promptly with relevant Vietnamese agencies to participate in the project at the earliest opportunity.

Earlier that day, PM Chinh received Mr. Jonathan Choi, Chairman of the Hong Kong-based Sunwah Group and Chairman of VinaCapital Vietnam. The PM encouraged the group to increase investment in high-tech industries, green development, the circular economy, and social housing. He also emphasized the importance of investment in raw material zones, science and technology, and deep processing in agriculture.

The Prime Minister called on the group to support Vietnamese companies’ integration into global supply chains and contribute to the development of high-quality human resources in Vietnam.

In the evening, PM Chinh met with Professor Tao Yitao, Director of the China Special Economic Zone Research Centre and President of the Belt and Road Research Institute for International Cooperation and Development at Shenzhen University.

Source: VnEconomy