(VOVworld)- Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai has joined representatives from ASEAN countries at a discussion on an ASEAN free trade area and regional economic integration in the framework of the ongoing Boao Forum in Hainan, China. Hai shared Vietnam’s viewpoints on its integration process and ASEAN’s resolve to complete the building of an ASEAN Economic Community by 2015.

Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai works with Hainan provincial party secretary Luo Baoming

He stressed the importance of narrowing the development gap within the bloc linking infrastructure and institutions, increasing people-to-people exchanges, and celebrating on climate change mitigation and environmental protection. At another session themed “Asia in a changing world”, the Vietnamese Deputy PM said the strong shift of Asian economies toward healthy and sustainable growth is in line with the global trend. He said its rapid recovery after the global economic crisis is making Asia a dynamic emerging region and a driving force in global economic growth. Hai also introduced Vietnam’s economic restructuring that targets green and sustainable growth. Earlier, he met with Richard Boucher, Deputy General Secretary of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development to discuss ways to boost cooperation between OECD and Vietnam.