China – ASEAN Ministerial roundtable on Construction

The China – ASEAN Ministerial roundtable on Construction took place in Naning City, Guangxi province, China on September 16^th. Chinese Minister of Housing and Urban and Rural Construction Ni Hong and Ministers in charge of the construction sector of ASEAN countries attended the conference. On the Vietnamese side, there was Minister of Construction Nguyen Thanh Nghi.

China – ASEAN Ministerial roundtable on Construction

Delegates exchanged experiences and opportunities for cooperation in the field of construction and urban and rural development from ASEAN member countries and China to contribute to the success of the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and “Belt and Road” Initiative (BRI).

Speaking at the conference, Minister of Construction Nguyen Thanh Nghi said that in recent years, Vietnam has achieved positive results in urban development associated with the goals of economic growth and upgrading the quality of people’s life. Urbanization and urban development are important driving forces to help Vietnam in socio-economic development. Many old urban areas have been renovated, upgraded, and expanded in terms of land size, population, construction investment, and upgrading of technical and social infrastructure. The urban area's economy has high growth, contributing about 70% of the country's GDP.

Minister Nguyen Thanh Nghi spoke at the Conference

However, urbanization process reveals many limitations: the growth rate is fast but lacks in comprehensive and sustainable strategy; urban infrastructure is not synchronized with social development and environmental protection, waste of natural resources and limitation in management capacity. In addition, Vietnam is among the top 10 countries which suffers from many natural disasters and climate change in the world. Storms, floods and rising sea levels are negatively impacting the development of the coastal urban system and the Mekong Delta region. Climate change causes heavy rains, flash floods, and landslides, to affect the development of urban systems in mountainous areas and the Central Highlands region.

From the reality, Minister Nguyen Thanh Nghi raised the views and orientations for sustainable, green, smart urban development to adapt to climate change, reducing emissions, people-centered and no one left behind. Vietnam will face difficulties and challenges such as perfecting institutions and overcoming limitations in the urbanization process and lack of financial resources, technology and capacity in urban and rural management and development towards sustainable development goals in general and goal 11 of the 2030 Agenda in particular.

Minister of Construction Nguyen Thanh Nghi and Minister of Housing and Urban and Rural Construction of China Ni Hong

Minister Nguyen Thanh Nghi emphasized that over the past 30 years, ASEAN-China relations have developed strongly, comprehensively and substantially in all fields. ASEAN countries have valued and highly prioritized the cooperation with China. China is the first partner to establish a Strategic Partnership with ASEAN and elevate it to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. ASEAN members and China are sharing many great common interests and responsibilities as well as issues related to housing construction, planning, construction and urban and rural development.

At this conference, Minister of Construction Nguyen Thanh Nghi wishes to learn about the experiences of ASEAN member countries and China on technological innovation in the construction sector, especially digital transformation and green technology to improve the quality of architectural works; vision and experience in integrated development to build a comprehensive, sustainable, safe, and adaptive urban and rural system to climate change.

 Minister of Construction Nguyen Thanh Nghi worked with China's Minister of Housing and Urban Rural Construction Ni Hong

Minister Nguyen Thanh Nghi believes that the results of this conference along with the declaration of "Nan Ninh Consensus" will make an important and practical contribution to promoting comprehensive cooperation between ASEAN and China in general, and cooperation between ASEAN and China in construction sector in particular to a new level, stronger and more substantial.

 Minister of Construction Nguyen Thanh Nghi and Minister of Housing and Urban and Rural Construction of China Ni Hong witnessed the MOU signing ceremony between Vietnam Cement Group and China No. 1 Road and Bridge Company (CFCEC)

During the Working Program in Guangxi, China, Minister of Construction Nguyen Thanh Nghi had a private meeting with Minister of Housing and Urban and Rural Construction of China Ni Hong and Vice Chairman of the Chinese construction and transportation Group Tran Trong. He also witnessed the MOU signing ceremony between Vietnam Cement Group and China No. 1 Road and Bridge Company (CFCEC) and between Vietnam Cement Corporation (VICEM) and SINOMA Tianjin Group, China.

Minister of Construction Nguyen Thanh Nghi and Minister of Housing and Urban and Rural Construction of China Ni Hong witnessed the signing ceremony of MOU between Vietnam Cement Corporation (VICEM) and SINOMA Group of Tianjin, China Quoc.