China, Vietnam to boost onshore cooperation

China and Vietnam have pledged to further deepen their onshore cooperation, Xinhua reported.

In a joint statement issued here Tuesday during a visit by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, the two countries vowed to implement the Five-Year Plan for the Development of China-Vietnam Economic and Trade Cooperation (2012-2016) and major cooperative projects.

Both sides have agreed to reach consensus as soon as possible on a plan to implement and finance the Pingxiang-Hanoi highway project, actively push for the Dongxing-Ha Long highway project and initiate feasibility studies on the Lao Cai-Hanoi railway project, it said.

The two countries vowed to implement a memorandum of understanding to build a cross-border economic cooperation zone and actively study the signing of a border trade agreement, so as to promote cooperation and prosperity in the two countries' border region.

The also agreed to strengthen coordination on trade and economic policies and vowed to strive for a balanced growth of bilateral trade, while achieving the goal of raising their trade volume to $60 billion by 2015, the statement added.

Both sides have agreed to further deepen communication and cooperation in such fields as agriculture, science and technology, education, culture, sports, tourism and health.

Among other things, the two countries also pledged to complete the construction of new cross-border bridges at an early date, so as to lay the foundation for stability and development of their border area.