Belt and Road Initiative to benefit Vietnam: expert
Photo taken on Dec. 4, 2015 shows a view inside the Long Jiang Industrial Park in Tien Giang province, southern Vietnam. Established in November 2007 by China's Zhejiang Tien Giang Investment Management Company, the industrial park is a key project in implementing the China-proposed "Belt and Road" initiative. [Nguyen Le Huyen/Xinhua]
Vietnam and China have great opportunities of cooperation under the framework of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, a local expert said, noting that the initiative will benefit Vietnam, providing it with necessary bases for development.
Do Tien Sam, editor-in-chief of the China Research Journal published by the Institute for Chinese Studies under the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, made the remarks in a recent interview with Xinhua.
Proposed by China in 2013, the Belt and Road Initiative refers to the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road, aiming at building a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient trade routes of Silk Road.
"Vietnam is thriving towards its industrialization and modernization targets. Hence, the country has great demand for improving infrastructure, and boosting trade and production capacity," Sam said, adding that the demand of paramount importance can be met by cooperation projects under the Belt and Road Initiative.
The two neighboring countries have many similarities, and they can learn from each other and gain practical experience, Sam explained.
"In the near future, focuses should be given to agricultural cooperation, environmental protection projects and trade balancing efforts," Sam added.
He hailed the outcomes of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation held in Beijing last month, saying that contents, targets and implementation methods of the initiative were made clearer at the event.
The five cooperation priorities -- policy coordination, infrastructure inter-connectivity, unimpeded trade, financial integration and people-to-people bond "are the basis and method to achieve the ultimate goal of common prosperity all over the world," Sam stated.
People-to-people bond should be laid as a foundation for achieving other cooperation goals, as it helps build mutual understanding and trust between nations, Sam claimed, adding that exchanges of scholars and press connectivity play an important role owing to their influence in the society.
Sam expressed the belief that China will make greater contributions to the world economy by implementing the Belt and Road Initiative.
"Against the backdrop of rising anti-globalization and trade protectionism, China sharing reform achievements with other countries will surely bolster its international status," Sam noted.
