Northern provinces discuss cross-border transport cooperation with Chinese locality

Transport officials from Việt Nam and China at the meeting in Lào Cai on Wednesday. — VNA/VNS Photo Quốc Khánh

LÀO CAI — Representatives from the Vietnamese provinces of Lào Cai, Hà Giang, Lai Châu and Điện Biên on Wednesday attended a meeting with their counterparts from China’s Yunnan province to discuss transport cooperation between the two sides.

The focus of the meeting was on enhancing mutual support for infrastructure development, particularly in the areas of expressways, railways and waterways connecting the two countries.

Discussions highlighted the importance of integrated road transport networks and active collaboration in advising the two government and governmental agencies on the approval of cross-border transport projects.

Both sides pledged to expedite the planning of a standard gauge railway line connecting Lào Cai with Hà Nội and Hải Phòng, and build a new railway section linking Lào Cai Station and China’s Hekou North Station.

Local authorities from both countries are working to streamline internal and bilateral procedures to facilitate faster upgrades of existing border gates, open new crossings, and promote cross-border commercial activities.

Both sides have maintained a mechanism for regular exchanges, coordinated issuance and inspection of international road transport permits between Việt Nam and China, alongside the provision of motor vehicle insurance services for vehicles involved in cross-border transport.

The same day, a delegation from the Yunnan Provincial Department of Transport conducted on-site surveys of several cross-border infrastructure projects in Lào Cai. — VNS