Lang Son (VNA) – The pilot of smart border gates, cooperation in vocational training, and social development assistance programmes for northern Vietnamese provinces were on the table at the talks held in the northern province of Lang Son on December 18 to bolster Vietnam – China development cooperation.

Providing updates on the construction of a smart border at the Huu Nghi (Vietnam) – Youyi Guan (China) border gate pair, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Doan Thanh Son said following the signing of the frame agreement between the Lang Son provincial People's Committee and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region's administration last year, the province is expediting the extension of the specialised import-export goods lane from four to eight and carrying out procedures to expand it to 14 lanes, making it in harmony with Chinese infrastructure.

Vice Governor of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Liao Pinhu underscored that the smart border gate represents a mutual aspiration for both countries, stating the Chinese side will join hands with Lang Son province to implement the project. To date, China has completed critical infrastructure, including cargo handling areas and IT system.

China stands ready to support the Vietnamese province with planning and development of smart system and infrastructure, he added.

Regarding bilateral cooperation in vocational training (Lu Ban class), the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is working with competent sides to facilitate educational exchanges. It asked for the Chinese Ambassador's assistance to resolve procedural differences.

Additionally, Vietnam proposed four social development projects in Bac Kan, Tuyen Quang, and Yen Bai provinces, focusing on transport infrastructure and education improvements. The Chinese Embassy in Vietnam is currently reviewing these proposals.

In conclusion, Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Quoc Phuong, head of the Vietnamese delegation, highlighted the high level of mutual determination to expedite the cooperation initiatives, particularly the pilot project on the smart border gate.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) Luo Zhaohui expressed his delight at the cooperation between the two countries over the recent past, stressing the common perceptions in establishing a collaboration mechanism to promote the pilot of the smart border gate.

On the occasion, the Ministry of Planning and Inv𝐆estment and the CIDCA signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance the pilot project./.