Research on building border economic zones in Cao Bang

On the afternoon of January 1st, during his working visit to Cao Bang province, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh inspected and checked the situation after the Tra Linh International Border Gate in Trung Khanh district was upgraded to an international border gate.

Thủ tướng Phạm Minh Chính: Nghiên cứu xây dựng khu kinh tế cửa khẩu tại Cao Bằng

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh during his working visit to Cao Bang on January 1st. (Photo: Duong Giang)

During his working visit to Cao Bang, on the afternoon of January 1, 2024, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh inspected the situation following the upgrading of the Tra Linh International Border Gate in Trung Khanh district, Cao Bang province, to an international border gate.

Accompanying him were Do Van Chien, Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front; and leaders from several ministries, departments, and Cao Bang province.

The Tra Linh (Trung Khanh district, Cao Bang province, Vietnam) - Long Bang (Long Chau district, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China) border gate pair has been upgraded to an international border gate by the Vietnamese and Chinese governments. A ceremony announcing this upgrade was held on December 28, 2023, making a practical contribution to building a peaceful, friendly, cooperative, and developing land border between Vietnam and China.

The upgrading of the Tra Linh border gate to an international border gate and the investment in the construction of the Dong Dang (Lang Son)-Tra Linh (Cao Bang) expressway, which commenced on the same day, will connect the international road transport route from southwestern provinces of China through Baise city (Guangxi) to the Tra Linh international border gate in Cao Bang, Vietnam. This will connect the Cao Bang-Lang Son-Hanoi-Hai Phong axis, as well as connect with ASEAN countries via the Ho Chi Minh Highway; creating new momentum for cooperation and joint development in the entire region, contributing to deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and China.

Speaking to officials of Trung Khanh district and officers and soldiers on duty at the Tra Linh border gate, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stated that this visit to the border gate by the Prime Minister aims to implement the agreement of the high-level leaders of Vietnam and China during General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's visit to China at the end of 2022 and General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping's visit to Vietnam at the end of 2023.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh inspects the Tra Linh International Border Gate. (Photo: Duong Giang)

The Prime Minister requested that ministries, agencies, and border localities, including the Public Security, Military, and Border Guard forces, develop specific plans, programs, and projects to implement the high-level agreements of the two countries' leaders down to the grassroots level. The Prime Minister emphasized that in the process of national construction and development, Vietnam has learned many lessons, including the need to maintain independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity; to build socialism; and to foster unity within the Party, unity among the people, national unity, and international solidarity. “In border areas, we must know how to combine the strength of the nation with the strength of the times; of the Vietnamese nation with the Chinese nation. Because relations with China are an objective, strategic, and top priority choice for Vietnam,” the Prime Minister stated.

The Prime Minister emphasized the need to firmly protect independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and to build a peaceful, friendly, cooperative, and developing border; every citizen should be a border marker; and all conflicts and regrettable incidents should be avoided. In addition, economic development, including border trade and border gate economies, must be pursued in accordance with Vietnamese law and international practices; security and social order must be ensured; vigilance and prevention of crimes such as smuggling and drug trafficking must be heightened; and the safety of people crossing border gates must be guaranteed.

The Prime Minister directed the continued development and refinement of planning; investment in upgrading infrastructure; research into appropriate mechanisms and policies to create favorable conditions for import and export activities, attract investment, promote cooperation, and comprehensive development in the fields of investment, trade, intermodal transport, tourism, etc.; and research into the construction of a border economic zone in Cao Bang province.

“We must create jobs, expand production and business, and create livelihoods for the people. Only then will people come to live here, and subsequently develop housing and urban areas… ensuring that the people have a prosperous and happy life. In the immediate future, in 2024-2025, Cao Bang province must eliminate temporary and dilapidated houses for the people, especially in border areas,” the Prime Minister emphasized.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh requested ministries, sectors, and localities to research and develop transportation infrastructure with a focus on key areas, especially prioritizing the implementation of the Dong Dang – Tra Linh expressway project to connect with Hai Phong port, thereby facilitating the transport of goods from Hai Phong port and the Northern Delta provinces to provinces in China.

Regarding some of the province's proposals related to the development of the Tra Linh International Border Gate area, including landslide prevention, the Prime Minister instructed relevant ministries and agencies to coordinate closely with the locality to develop a specific project and submit it to the Government for approval.

Presenting gifts and New Year greetings to officers and soldiers of the District Military Command, the District Police of Trung Khanh, the Border Guard and Customs working groups, and the militia squad of Tra Linh town performing duties at the Tra Linh International Border Gate, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh requested that the forces continue to prioritize Party building, building a clean and strong political system, enhancing the leadership capacity and fighting strength of Party organizations and Party members, building a team of cadres with sufficient capacity, qualities, and qualifications to match the tasks; uniting, coordinating closely, synchronously, and effectively based on functions, tasks, and powers, and together excellently fulfilling assigned tasks.

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