Aerial photo taken on Aug. 23, 2022 shows a China-Vietnam freight train pulling out of Xi'an international port in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. The freight train left the Xi'an international port in Shaanxi Province on Tuesday for Vietnam's Hanoi, marking the first China-Vietnam freight train route connecting Shaanxi and Vietnam. The train was loaded with 41 carriages of asbestos which were transported from Kazakhstan to Xi'an via the China-Europe freight train service. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

The Chinese economy has withstood downward pressure and factors beyond expectations, and has kept operating within a reasonable range and maintained a recovery momentum, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said on Monday during a phone call with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the invitation of the latter. 

China and Vietnam are friendly neighbors linked by mountains and rivers, and China is willing to strengthen communication with Vietnam to deepen cooperation and maintain regional peace and stability, Li said, according to a report by the Xinhua News Agency. 

"China is willing to see the stable growth of Vietnam's economy, and is willing to expand economic cooperation with Vietnam, ensure the smooth operation of border ports, expand imports of high-quality agricultural products, and increase direct flights to bring convenience to people-to-people exchanges on the basis of epidemic prevention," Li said.

Both sides will focus on the big picture and manage differences, to reach a "Code of Conduct in the South China Sea" with ASEAN countries as early as possible, according to Li.
 
China is Vietnam's largest trading partner and the second-largest export destination. In the first eight months, China's trade with Vietnam gained 1.4 percent year-on-year to 975 billion yuan ($139.13 billion), customs data showed.

In the second quarter, Vietnam's GDP grew 7.7 percent year-on-year, recording the fastest expansion in nearly 11 years as exports continued to grow.

More Vietnamese fruits and vegetables are being exported to China, after the mega Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which includes both China and Vietnam, took effect at the beginning of this year.

Chinh said that developing and consolidating relations with China is a top priority of Vietnam's foreign policy. The Vietnamese side is willing to keep exchanges with China's leadership, strengthen strategic coordination, settle disputes, and promote cooperation in key areas to bring more active results in bilateral relations. 

Global Times