Hundreds of Chinese and Vietnamese businessmen in the border trade market of Nonghuai in Pingxiang in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region are avidly following news reports about Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's visit to Vietnam.

"I hope China and Vietnam can maintain stable and good relations. As bilateral ties sour, my trade drops remarkably", said Wu Daming, a 50-year-old businessman from Yiwu, Zhejiang province, who sells knitted goods to Vietnam in the border trade market.

Wu has traded in Pingxiang near the border for 21 years. He first sold toys to Vietnam but found toys made in China no longer had a price advantage after 2000. He then started selling thermal underwear, socks and stockings to his southern neighbors.