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On the afternoon of May 12, 2026, at the Government Office, Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng met with Hà Vĩ, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to Vietnam, and exchanged views on major directions to promote the two Parties and two countries to develop in a stable, substantive, and sustainable manner. The Ambassador conveyed greetings from Premier Li Keqiang and Chinese leaders to Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng. The Ambassador noted that bilateral relations continue to yield positive results, with frequent high-level exchanges; bilateral trade maintaining growth; investment shifting toward high-tech sectors and innovation; and tourism cooperation developing as the two countries are major markets for each other. The Prime Minister emphasized that Vietnam’s Party and State always value China’s support in the national struggle for independence as well as in current development, and affirmed that developing relations with China is a consistent policy, an objective requirement, and a top priority in Vietnam’s independent, self-reliant, multilateral foreign policy. He proposed that the two sides work closely to implement common high-level understandings, maintain exchanges at leadership levels, and promote substantive cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, and infrastructure connectivity, with a priority on rail cooperation; develop economic corridors, logistics centers, border-gate zones, and accelerate the construction of smart border gates. He also urged China to facilitate Vietnam’s participation in the “Shared Market – Exports to China” initiative, expand access to the Chinese market for agricultural and aquatic products; strengthen science and technology cooperation, education and training; implement a plan for the Vietnam–China Tourism Cooperation Year 2026–2027; and intensify health cooperation, including traditional Chinese medicine. Agreeing with the Prime Minister’s directions, Ambassador Hà Vĩ affirmed China’s high priority on developing relations with Vietnam and expressed readiness to implement agreements, promote substantive cooperation, and build stable supply and production chains to facilitate Vietnamese goods, especially agricultural products, reaching the Chinese market. The Ambassador noted that China is ready to share experience in building free-trade zones and international financial centers; strengthen rail cooperation, including technology and engineering, and expand rail links to the Eurasian continent; enhance science and technology cooperation, innovation, and energy security.
Premium gym chains are entering a “golden era” that is ending or already in decline, as rising operating costs collide with shifting consumer preferences toward more flexible, community-based ways to exercise. Long-term memberships are shrinking, margins are pressured by higher rents and facility expenses, and competition from smaller, more personalized…
