HANOI -- China (Yunnan)-Vietnam Trade Economic Cooperation Promotion Seminar was held on Tuesday.

Li Jiheng, the visiting governor of China's Southwest province Yunnan, in his speech made at the seminar, introduced the development of the province in recent years. "Natural convenience is there between Yunnan province and Vietnam and the cooperation based on that has been rapidly developed," said Li.

Yunnan province borders the north of Vietnam in the south.

Trade volume between Yunnan and Vietnam has increased by 20 percent annually in recent years. "The bilateral trade volume has reached $1.213 billion in 2011 and Vietnam, hence, has been Yunnan's second largest trade partner and the third investing destination," said the governor.

Governor Li Jiheng wishes the Yunnan-Vietnam cooperation to be further developed. Therefore he made five suggestions at the seminar participated by over 600 businessmen, officials and media people.

Firstly, Li suggested both sides to promote the sustainable, healthy and rapid development of the bilateral economic and trade relations.

Li said the Yunnan provincial government will encourage importation of Vietnamese products and encourage Yunnan enterprises to invest in Vietnam.

Secondly, Li suggested both sides should speed up the connection of the two transportation systems including railway and road's construction and upgrading, exploring the possibility of the trans-border transportation by Red River.

Thirdly, Li suggested to practically push forward the construction of cross-border economic cooperation zone.

Fourthly, Li suggested to give impetus to the opening-up and integration of the financial and capital market.

Finally, Li hoped to enhance the understanding and friendship between the peoples.

Later on Tuesday afternoon, the Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang, when meeting Li Jiheng in Vietnamese Presidential Palace, said that the trade exchange between Yunnan Province and Vietnamese localities have been implemented effectively which has helped the two sides' businesses expand their cooperation.

The Vietnamese president believed that in the near future when construction of the Hanoi-Lao Cai expressway is completed, trade exchange between Yunnan province and Vietnamese localities will be further promoted.

Yunnan province should closely coordinate with Vietnamese localities in areas of their potentials and select typical projects to invest in Vietnam, the Vietnamese leader suggested.