Mr Dung made the statement while receiving Hainan governor Luo Baoming in Hanoi on July 9, saying the visit will help lift the comprehensive and strategic cooperation partnership between the two countries to new heights.

He noted that cooperative ties between Vietnam and Hainan have grown and flourished in recent years, and the two sides still have great potential for stronger cooperation.

Luo Baoming, who is leading a delegation of 150 businesses to visit Vietnam, said that trade and investment cooperation between Hainan and Vietnam is part and parcel of the strategic partnership between China and Vietnam.

He expressed his hope that the Vietnamese government would support the opening of a direct air route between Hainan and Hanoi and a maritime route between Hainan and Hai Phong and Ho Chi Minh City.

Mr Lou told Mr Dung that Chinese and Vietnamese businesses signed 18 deals valued at US$318 million at a joint seminar in Hanoi the same day.

Mr Dung voiced his support for the launch of the air and maritime routes between Vietnamese cities and Hainan, saying the decision will contribute to boosting their trade, investment and tourism. He also proposed that both sides should increase cooperation in the automobile industry, agricultural mechanisation, fishing, trade, education and training, as well as in the search and rescue work at sea.

The same day, Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem received the visiting Hainan governor.