In an interview with the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s correspondent in China, Mayor of Nanning Hou Gang highlighted the city’s pivotal role in fostering regional exchanges, noting that Nanning has the most sister-city partnerships with Vietnam's counterparts, including the cities of Hai Phong, Bac Ninh, and Bac Giang.
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Mayor of Nanning Hou Gang |
The Chinese city also maintains strong ties with other Vietnamese provinces and cities such as Ha Nam, Lang Son, and Mong Cai, while districts like Qingxiu and Huang Zhou have carried out friendship exchanges with Ngo Quyen (Hai Phong city) and Thuan Thanh (Bac Ninh city), creating a multi-level exchange network.
In terms of mechanism, Nanning has partnered with Hai Phong city, Bac Ninh province, and Bac Giang province to launch a consultation mechanism for local administrations in Vietnam and China, aiming to boost cooperation and facilitate exchanges across sectors.
Economic ties between Nanning and Vietnam have grown significantly. In 2024, bilateral trade reached CNY 11.69 billion (approximately USD 1.6 billion), accounting for 42.1% of its total trade with ASEAN member nations. Vietnam has now become Nanning’s largest trading partner, while the city has emerged as a key distribution hub for Vietnamese agricultural exports to China.
Cross-border logistics have also improved, with road transport between Nanning and Vietnam operating on a “factory-to-factory” model within 12 hours, particularly benefiting Bac Ninh and Bac Giang provinces. Meanwhile, the China-Vietnam express railway now connects Nanning and Hanoi in as little as 14 hours, facilitating daily freight services.
Beyond economic ties, cultural, tourism and educational exchanges between Nanning and Vietnamese localities have also flourished. Tourism has seen a significant boost, with 50,900 overnight stays by Vietnamese visitors in Nanning in 2024, an increase of 96.18% year-on-year.
Hou reaffirmed the city’s commitment to implementing agreements reached by the top leaders of both nations.
He cited the recent phone talks between General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and President of China Xi Jinping and General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam, which set the stage for future cooperation in party-to-party exchanges, high-level engagements, economic collaboration, cultural interactions, and regional coordination.
According to the Mayor, Nanning has outlined five key initiatives to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the future.
First, the city will host the Nanning-Hanoi Economic Corridor Conference, providing a platform to enhance exchanges and foster closer ties between cities along the corridor, including Guangxi, Nanning, and Vietnamese localities.
Second, Nanning will invite its Vietnamese sister cities - Hai Phong, Bac Ninh, and Bac Giang - to showcase their specialty products at the 22nd China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO). This platform aims to help businesses from both sides expand their markets, seek partnerships, and explore new opportunities.
Third, the city will launch training programs for senior Vietnamese officials and short-term exchange programs for civil servants, further strengthening China-Vietnam relations.
Fourth, cultural, sports, tourism, and education exchange programs will be expanded to deepen mutual understanding and build stronger ties between the two nations.
Fifth, Nanning will implement youth talent exchange programs, inviting Vietnamese students, scholars, and employees of Chinese enterprises in Vietnam to participate in winter and summer study camps.
Additionally, exhibitions and exchange events highlighting the creative achievements of Chinese and Vietnamese professionals will be held, fostering collaboration in youth talent development, scientific innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Source: VNA