VIETNAM is accelerating moves to create its first special economic zone on its northeastern border with China, but doubts remain on how far trade barriers will be reduced.
The proposed zone at the Mong Cai frontier gate is expected to be on the agenda of a new round of border talks this week between Beijing and Hanoi. The closed-door sessions are expected to run until Friday.
Both the zone and the reopening of a rail link severed during the invasion by China in 1979 have raised hopes in Hanoi of a new era in ties across the 1,400-kilometre border.
Vietnamese Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet has ordered Hanoi ministries and officials in the border province of Quang Ninh to step up plans for an 'open economic experiment' at the Mong Cai gate. His instructions insist national and international law must be 'respected' but Mong Cai must be turned into an 'international commercial and tourist centre'.
The gate, like other crossings, is drawing people from across the country as both legal and illegal trade booms following the thawing of ties and restrictions between Hanoi and Beijing in 1991.
Detailed plans are expected to be submitted soon to the premier's office outlining ways to attract tourism and foreign investment to the zone.
Key decisions have yet to be taken as to how far Vietnam's complex tariff structure will be reduced for any special zone at Mong Cai.
