The event was co-hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and some localities of Vietnam, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Chinese Embassy in Vietnam and authorities of China's Yunnan province.

Speaking at the event, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu congratulated China and Yunnan in particular on their achievements in the effort, making important contributions to fulfilling the first centenary goal - building a moderately prosperous society in all respects.

Illustrative image (internet)

He suggested the two countries’ localities enhance cooperation in socio-economic development planning, boost trade and investment ties, carry out projects to improve social welfare and local lives, jointly fight the pandemic, and pay further attention to sustainable and inclusive growth.

On the occasion, he thanked Yunnan province for donating medical supplies to Vietnam’s cities and provinces.

Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam Xiong Bo said China wishes and stays ready to cooperate with Vietnam in poverty reduction via non-refundable aid, with a focus on health care, education and welfare improvement projects.

The Chinese Embassy and he himself will strive to carry out projects in support of the Vietnamese in difficult areas, contributing to realising common perceptions reached by leaders of the two Parties and nations, he said.

At the event, both sides shared the view that poverty reduction should be one of the key, basic and long-term tasks of every action programme, especially amid the complicated and prolonged developments of the pandemic.

Leaders of localities said apart from the State support, localities need to actively tap their strengths and pool existing resources to generate more jobs, improve the quality of health care, education and welfare for residents, particularly those in remote and ethnic minority regions./.