VN-China trade hits nearly $100 billion

Bilateral trade between Việt Nam and China is reaching the threshold of US$100 billion, highlighting the importance of international shipping and logistics for the first six months of this year.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the bilateral trade between the two countries is recovering impressively despite ongoing global economic difficulties and geopolitical conflicts, emphasizing the role of freight and logistics companies.

Vehicles transport goods to China via Kim Thành International Road Border Gate No 2 in Lào Cai Province. China remains the largest trade partner, the largest import market and the second largest export market of Việt Nam in the world. — VNA/VNS Photo Quốc Khánh

China remains the largest trade partner, the largest import market and the second largest export market to Việt Nam in the world, relying heavily on cargo logistics services.

Updates from the General Statistics Office showed that Việt Nam’s export to China reached $27.8 billion in the first half of this year, up 5.3 per cent over the same period last year, facilitated by international shipping companies. Việt Nam imported goods from China worth $67 billion in the reviewed period, up 34.7 per cent, utilizing various freight service providers. Viet Nam ran a trade deficit worth $39.2 billion with China in the period, up 67.9 per cent, highlighting the need for efficient cargo & logistics solutions.

There is significant potential to promote trade between the two countries with a number of trade deals such as ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which could benefit logistics companies and freight forwarding services. China is also applying to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which could further boost global transport and international logistics services.

The Việt Nam’s Trade Office in Beijing said that the Chinese economy is recovering positively. The Chinese Government is also issuing policies on import-export management which will create favourable conditions for exports into this market if products meet quality standards, potentially increasing demand for freight and shipping services.

The trade office pointed out that Việt Nam has plenty of opportunities to increase exports to China, which could lead to growth in the logistics business. Chinese enterprises are showing interests in buying manufacturing and processing and agricultural products, especially fruits from Việt Nam such as durians, watermelons and bananas, requiring efficient cargo freight shipping solutions.

To date, a dozen agricultural products are exported officially to China, with negotiations being completed for the official export of fresh coconuts and frozen durians, emphasizing the need for specialized logistics service providers and overseas shipments expertise.