Vietnam urges China to reopen border doors as a trading post for Reuters

HANOI (Reuters) – The Vietnamese Ministry of Commerce has urged Chinese authorities in Guangxi to take urgent action to ease congestion at border crossings after China tightens border controls with its neighbors to pursue zero COVID-19 policy, state media reported.

Images and videos from the State News Agency of Vietnam (VNA) showed that thousands of trucks were detained at the border as reported that COVID-19 cases imported from Guangxi province had been detected.

“The anti-virus prevention measures being implemented under Guangxi’s ‘zero COVID’ policies, including closing border gates or stopping fruit imports, are necessary,” the VNA said in a statement from the Ministry of Commerce.

“This disruption has had a negative impact on bilateral trade and has caused significant losses to businesses and individuals on both sides.”

According to the report, Guangxi trade officials said they would increase the duration of the customs clearance and forward other proposals to the highest authorities.

China is Vietnam’s largest trading partner and its largest fruit and vegetable market.

The volume of trade in agricultural products between the two countries rose by 19.5% in the first 11 months of 2021 compared to the same period last year, to $ 11.3 trillion, according to official data.