Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, at a meeting with secretary of the Party Committee of the Chinese province of Hainan Shen Xiaoming on Wednesday, suggested the restoration of tourism cooperation between the two countries, including the inclusion of Vietnam in China’s list of approved markets for outbound group tours.

China had earlier announced a list of 20 countries and territories where its tour agencies were allowed to take travelers, including seven ASEAN countries, but Vietnam was excluded.

According to Chinese media agencies, Chinese travelers have significant interest in visiting Thailand, Singapore, and the Maldives.

At the meeting, PM Chinh also requested that Hainan Province enhance its exchanges and cooperative initiatives with Vietnamese ministries, agencies, and localities, particularly Ho Chi Minh City and the northern province of Quang Ninh.

In addition, the Vietnamese government leader suggested boosting mutually beneficial cooperation in tourism, transport, education, healthcare, cultural exchange, and climate change response.

He also called on Hainan Province to join hands in search and rescue work at sea, as well as to treat Vietnamese fishermen in a humanitarian manner in order to contribute to the maintenance of peace and stability in regional maritime areas.

In response, Shen affirmed that Hainan attaches great importance to collaboration with Vietnamese ministries, agencies, and localities.

The province also noted plans to work closely with Vietnam in order to realize PM Chinh’s recommendations.

In particular, Hainan will soon reopen air and sea routes to Vietnam, as well as establish a Vietnam trade promotion office in Hainan.

The Hainan Party Committee secretary pledged to increase its imports of Vietnamese agricultural products, including coconuts.

Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son (right) and secretary of the Hainan Province Party Committee Shen Xiaoming at a meeting on February 22, 2023. Photo: Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs

On the same day, Shen also met with Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son who suggested that Hainan foster cooperation with Vietnam in search and rescue at sea and create conditions for Vietnamese fishermen to seek shelter in case of storms.

Shen voiced his agreement with Minister Son’s suggestions, adding that Hainan will facilitate the import of Vietnamese farm produce into China and transform itself into a gateway for Chinese enterprises to invest in Vietnam.

The visit was Shen’s first to Vietnam since he became the secretary of the Party Committee of Hainan Province.

Prior to his meeting with PM Chinh, Shen met with secretary of the Ho Chi Minh municipal Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen.

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