Chinese president Xi Jinping visits Vietnam Tuesday

The state visit, slated for Dec 12-13, will be Xi’s third visit to Vietnam in his current roles, following previous visits in 2015 and 2017.

It presents a significant opportunity for the highest-ranking leaders of both parties to enhance strategic exchanges under new conditions.

During the visit, numerous key cooperation documents are expected to be signed, covering a wide range of fields including Party channel cooperation, national security and defense, justice, communications, trade, investment, digital economy, green development, agricultural import and export, irrigation, and maritime cooperation.

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Vu anticipates this visit to propel Vietnam-China relations to a “new level,” yielding practical outcomes. The anticipated agreements will lay a crucial foundation for increased effectiveness in collaboration among agencies, localities, people, and businesses of the two countries.

Vietnamese Ambassador to China, Pham Sao Mai, observes that this visit will inject further momentum into the bilateral relations, especially as Vietnam and China celebrate their 15th anniversary of establishing a comprehensive strategic partnership.

Mai says Vietnam will accord a special welcome to Xi, reflecting the friendship, comradeship, and brotherhood between the two countries.

Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam Xiong Bo highlighted that transport infrastructure, particularly railways and highways, could be a focal discussion point. The visit coincides with the accelerated implementation of the Hekou (Yunnan) – Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway project.

Chinese media have also spotlighted Xi’s visit, emphasizing that it “will certainly strengthen mutual political trust between the two countries and promote mutually beneficial cooperation.”

China remains Vietnam’s largest trade partner, with Vietnam being China’s biggest partner in ASEAN. In 2022, bilateral trade turnover hit $175.6 billion, with Vietnam’s exports at $57.7 billion and imports at $117.87 billion, according to Vietnam Customs.

As of October 20, China ranks 6th among 143 countries and territories investing in Vietnam, with 4,105 active projects totaling $26.5 billion in capital.

“China and Vietnam are emerging economies and notable developing countries. Both countries in unison and cooperation can create more stability for the development of the region and the world, contributing to the maintenance of peace, stability and development of the region and the world,” Xiong said.