China vows stronger ties with Vietnam ahead of top leader's state visit

The upcoming state visit of China's top leader Xi Jinping to Vietnam is expected to be an opportunity to consolidate the traditional China-Vietnam friendship, enhance mutual strategic trust, deepen substantive cooperation, and advance the practical development of the China-Vietnam community with a shared future, said a Chinese diplomat.

Chinese Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping's April 14 -15 visit is made at the invitations of Vietnam's Party General Secretary To Lam and State President Luong Cuong.

At a regular press briefing on Saturday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said China and Vietnam are friendly socialist neighbours, both undertaking reforms in line with their national conditions. Strengthening unity and collaboration serves the common interests of the two nations.

He highlighted that Xi’s historic visit to Vietnam at the end of 2023 ushered in a new chapter for the China-Vietnam community with a shared future.

Over the past time, the Chinese top leader has maintained strategic communication with the Vietnamese top leader To Lam, while ministries, agencies, and localities of both countries have engaged in close exchanges. Cooperation in various fields has yielded encouraging results, delivering tangible benefits to the two countries' people.

Lin underscored the special significance of the upcoming visit, saying it coincides with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. During the visit, the Chinese leader will hold talks with Party General Secretary To Lam and meet with President Luong Cuong, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man.

At the briefing, Lin also revealed that alongside Vietnam, Xi will also visit two other Southeast Asian countries - Malaysia and Cambodia.

He reiterated that neighboring countries remain a priority in China's foreign policy, and that China and Southeast Asia are good neighbours, good friends, and good partners.

This Southeast Asia tour, President Xi’s first overseas trip of the year, holds major significance for fostering the comprehensive development of China’s relations with Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia, as well as with ASEAN as a whole.

It is expected to inject fresh momentum into the peaceful development of the region and the world.