At the talks between the People’s Committee of the northern mountainous border province of Lang Son and the Party Committee of Chongzuo city, China’s Guangxi province, on August 27. (Source: VNA)

At the event, the two sides briefed each other on the signed agreements as well as activities to bolster border economy and tourism, and put forth recommendations to enhance cooperation in the coming time.

According to Chairman of the Lang Son provincial People’s Committee Ho Tien Thieu, authorities of both sides have worked to create the best conditions for the customs clearance of goods. So far this year, the number of vehicles cleared through local border gates, mostly Tan Thanh and Huu Nghi, increased 16.7% year-on-year.

He expressed his hope that Guangxi province, including Chongzuo, will soon set up a meeting mechanism to discuss technical infrastructure connectivity, and specific plans on the pilot of smart border gates.

The two sides shared the view that they should propose their Governments to push ahead the building of a master plan on the construction of the Lang Son –  Hanoi standard-gauge railway connecting with the Nanning - Chongzuo – Pingxiang highway. Besides, they will direct competent authorities to coordinate so as to facilitate trade activities at the border gates, ask for permission to trade new products at the Huu Nghi international border gate and the Chi Ma (Vietnam) – Ai Dian (China) border gates, and urge the approval of the opening of the Binh Nghi - Ping Erguan border gates.

Along with stepping up discussion with Chongzuo agencies on tourism activities, Lang Son wishes that the Chinese side will pay due attention to directing and introducing local firms to invest in Lang Son’s industrial parks, and well implementing the three legal documents on the land border between the two countries, and agreements between the two localities.

The Vietnamese province also expects Chongzuo will remove bottlenecks and handle roadblocks, contributing to building a border line of peace, friendship, cooperation, and development.

Secretary of the Party Committee of Chongzuo city Lan Xiao said he hopes Lang Son will join hands with Guangxi province and Chongzuo city to promote measures enhancing trade between the two sides, including accelerating the building of smart border gates, and improving infrastructure to meet handling requirements.

He recommended Lang Son work with Pingxiang town to develop a cross-border tourism cooperation area, and arrange meetings on tourism activities between the two sides.

Thieu and Lan expressed their belief that the two localities, with their concerted efforts to boost cooperation, will soon realise their set targets on socio-economic development.