New chapter in the friendly neighborly relationship, Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership

General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam To Lam and his wife, along with a high-ranking delegation of the Party and State of Vietnam, have just successfully concluded a State visit to China, at the invitation of General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping and his wife.

The State visit of General Secretary and President To Lam significantly contributes to promoting the orientation of building a Vietnam-China Community of Shared Future, which has strategic significance and is beneficial to peace, stability and development of the region and the world.

Top priority, strategic choice

In the capital Beijing, in a sincere and friendly atmosphere, General Secretary and President To Lam had a rich and important working program, notably the talks with General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping; meetings with Premier of the State Council of China Li Qiang, Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Wang Huning and Chairman of the National People's Congress of China Zhao Leji.

Building on the relationship that has been carefully cultivated by the leaders of the two countries, the two sides shared their views on the major developments in the bilateral relationship, especially after two historic visits by the top leaders of the two Parties and two countries in 2022 and 2023.

Emphasizing the motto of “16 words” and the spirit of “4 goods”, the two sides shared the desire to seriously implement the direction of “6 more” with common awareness and results achieved during bilateral visits of the top leaders of the two Parties and two countries. In particular, the “ Joint Statement on continuing to promote and deepen the Vietnam-China Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership ” and “ Joint Statement on continuing to deepen and elevate the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership, building a Vietnam-China Community of Shared Future have strategic significance ”.

General Secretary and President To Lam and his wife, General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping and his wife take a group photo. (Photo: VNA)

The Chinese leaders congratulated and highly appreciated Vietnam's important achievements in nearly 40 years of renovation, nearly 15 years of implementing the "Platform for National Construction in the Transitional Period to Socialism", especially the important, outstanding and comprehensive achievements since the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, promoting Vietnam's comprehensive strength and international influence to unprecedented heights.

The delegation of the Party and State of Vietnam also congratulated the successful organization of the 3rd Central Conference of the 20th tenure of the Communist Party of China, and highly appreciated the great achievements that China has made in the new era.

Both sides affirmed the strategic choice in each country's foreign policy. In particular, China emphasized its persistence in its policy of friendship with Vietnam, always considering Vietnam a priority in its neighborly diplomacy. Vietnam affirmed that it always considers relations with China a top priority in its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralization, and diversification.

General Secretary and President To Lam and General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping. (Photo: VNA)

The two comrades General Secretary and President reached high consensus on enhancing political trust and maintaining regular exchanges and contacts between high-ranking leaders of the two Parties and two countries.

Affirming the strategic guiding role of the Party channel for the overall relationship between the two countries, the two General Secretaries and Presidents shared the desire to continue deepening theoretical cooperation, through mechanisms such as the Theoretical Workshop between the two Parties, promptly sharing the latest theoretical and practical achievements of each Party and each country, which have practical significance in contributing to the cause of each Party and each country.

At the same time, the two General Secretaries and Presidents shared their wish to continue to strengthen friendly exchanges and promote the role of the cooperation committee mechanisms between the Vietnamese National Assembly and the National People's Congress of China, and friendly exchanges between organizations at the central level and border provinces of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and the Chinese National People's Political Consultative Conference.

In particular, it is necessary to strengthen overall coordination and direct ministries, branches and localities of the two countries to build a Vietnam-China Community of Shared Future of strategic significance, and strengthen mechanisms and forms of exchange and cooperation in strategic areas such as diplomacy, defense, security, etc. through the Vietnam-China Bilateral Cooperation Steering Committee.

General Secretary and President To Lam holds talks with General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping. (Photo: VNA)

Emphasizing that the two countries are looking forward to celebrating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2025, the two General Secretaries and Presidents agreed on the need to further strengthen people-to-people exchanges, promote understanding and friendship between the people of the two countries, especially the young generation. The two sides agreed to identify 2025 as the " Vietnam-China Humanitarian Exchange Year " and jointly organize a series of activities to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-China diplomatic relations.

Together with the organization of activities to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Land Border Treaty and the 15th anniversary of the signing of three legal documents on the Vietnam-China land border, the two sides agreed to continue to coordinate to effectively implement the legal documents, while at the same time, strengthening cooperation in the land border area between Vietnam and China.

Sharing the desire to maintain peace and stability in the East Sea, the two sides agreed not to take any action that would complicate the situation, expand the dispute, persist in friendly negotiations, and actively seek a fundamental and long-term solution that is acceptable to both sides. Especially in accordance with the “ Agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of maritime issues between Vietnam and China ” and international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982), the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

In Beijing, the two sides issued a Joint Statement on further strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promoting the building of the Vietnam-China Community of Shared Future .

During the visit, General Secretary and President To Lam and General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping witnessed the signing of cooperation documents between ministries, sectors and localities of the two countries in the fields of party school cooperation, agricultural product import and export, broadcasting and television, press and communication, healthcare, infrastructure, trade and economic development, industry, banking, etc.

14 cooperation documents were signed at the Great Hall of the People, Beijing:

1. Memorandum of Cooperation between the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Central Party School of the Communist Party of China (National Academy of Public Administration) of the People's Republic of China.
2. Memorandum of Understanding on Industrial Cooperation between the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People's Republic of China.
3. Certificate of handover of the Project Results of Vietnam aid to plan the Lao Cai-Hanoi-Hai Phong standard gauge railway between the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Government of the People's Republic of China.
4. Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Health of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China on medical cooperation.
5. Memorandum of Understanding between the State Bank of Vietnam and the People's Bank of China on enhancing cooperation and information exchange on banking operations.
6. Protocol on phytosanitary requirements for fresh coconuts exported from Vietnam to China between the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China.
7. Protocol between the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China on quarantine and health requirements for farmed crocodiles exported from Vietnam to China.
8. Protocol on phytosanitary and food safety requirements for frozen durian exported from Vietnam to China between the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China.
9. Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Planning and Investment of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the General Administration for International Development Cooperation of the People's Republic of China on promoting development cooperation projects in the social and people's livelihood fields.
10. Official Letter between the Ministry of Transport of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the General Administration for Development Cooperation of the People's Republic of China on the feasibility study of the Technical Aid Project for Planning two standard gauge railway routes Lang Son-Hanoi and Mong Cai-Ha Long-Hanoi.
11. Agreement on professional cooperation between Vietnam News Agency, Socialist Republic of Vietnam, and Xinhua News Agency, People's Republic of China.
12. Memorandum of Understanding on Strengthening Cooperation between Vietnam Television and China Central Radio and Television.
13. Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Health of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of the People's Republic of China on cooperation in the field of traditional medicine.
14. Memorandum of Understanding on the Press-Media Exchange Program between the Vietnam Journalists Association and the China National Journalists Association for the period 2024-2029.

Together with 2 documents announced at the signing ceremony:

1. Memorandum of Understanding on enhancing cooperation in the field of economy and trade between the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the People's Government of Hainan Province, People's Republic of China.
2. Memorandum of Understanding on enhancing cooperation in the field of economy and trade between the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the People's Government of Shandong Province of the People's Republic of China.

Cooperation framework, connecting infrastructure

Affirming the desire to strengthen and promote substantive cooperation areas, the two General Secretaries and Presidents agreed to continue to strengthen security and defense cooperation, promote economic, trade and investment cooperation, enhance connectivity of railway and road infrastructure, and enhance supply chain cooperation, etc.

Affirming that defense-security cooperation is one of the pillars of Vietnam-China relations, the two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation through channels such as Border Defense Friendship Exchange, Defense and Security Dialogue, and increase exchanges at all levels between the two countries' armies. Thereby, deepening border, naval, and coast guard exchanges, promoting cooperation in areas such as political work, defense industry, mutual naval ship visits, and United Nations peacekeeping.

General Secretary and President To Lam suggested that the two sides strengthen cooperation in building large, highly symbolic projects that are commensurate with political trust and demonstrate China's level of development and advanced science and technology. He suggested that China provide preferential loans, technology transfer, support human resource training, and quality investment in Vietnam's key transport infrastructure projects, and strengthen investment cooperation in areas where China has many advantages such as green economy, digital economy, etc.

General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping affirmed that China is willing to increase imports of Vietnamese agricultural products and expand trade promotion offices in China. At the same time, it will create favorable conditions for high-quality Vietnamese agricultural products to access the Chinese market.

In order to promote the connection of development strategies between the two countries, thereby effectively implementing the Cooperation Plan connecting the “Two Corridors, One Belt” Framework with the “Belt and Road” Initiative, the two sides agreed to promote “hard connections” between the two countries in terms of high-speed railways, expressways, border gate infrastructure, and at the same time, upgrade “soft connections” in terms of smart customs and smart border gates.

General Secretary and President To Lam and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation at the talks with General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping. (Photo: VNA)

China agreed to provide support for Vietnam to develop the planning for the Lang Son-Hanoi and Mong Cai-Ha Long-Hai Phong standard gauge railways, and to prepare a feasibility study report for the Lao Cai-Hanoi-Hai Phong standard gauge railway.

In the coming time, the two sides will promote the pilot construction of smart border gates at the Huu Nghi (Vietnam) - Huu Nghi Quan (China) international border gate and a dedicated road for transporting goods in the area of ​​landmark 1088/2-1089 (Tan Thanh - Po Chai).

Both sides wish to encourage and support enterprises with strength, reputation and advanced technology to invest in the other country, focusing on strengthening cooperation in the fields of agriculture and infrastructure; expanding cooperation in new fields such as: digital economy, circular economy, green development, clean energy, renewable energy, etc.

At the same time, promote the role of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA); make good use of e-commerce platforms and exhibitions; strengthen customs cooperation, and expand the export of key goods of one country to another.

General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping and General Secretary and President To Lam enjoy tea. (Photo: VNA)

General Secretary and President To Lam meets with Chinese Premier Li Qiang. (Photo: VNA)

General Secretary and President To Lam meets with Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Wang Huning. (Photo: VNA)

General Secretary and President To Lam meets with Chairman of the National People's Congress of China Zhao Leji. (Photo: VNA)

On the multilateral level, the two sides agreed to strengthen coordination, cooperation and collaboration in mechanisms and forums such as the United Nations, ASEAN, and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), and support each other's candidacy for international organizations. China affirmed its support for ASEAN in building a community of solidarity, unity, self-reliance and development, and maintaining its central role in the regional structure. At the same time, it supports Vietnam in hosting APEC 2027.

The two sides agreed to promote cooperation within the framework of major initiatives such as the Community of Shared Future for Humanity, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative... with the goal of protecting the common interests of all mankind, for the cause of peace, justice and progress of the people of the world, and meeting the desire of people of all countries to build a better world.

Affirming the need to further strengthen people-to-people exchanges, promote understanding and friendship between the people of the two countries, the two sides agreed to promote the role of the Chinese Cultural Center in Vietnam, and welcomed Vietnam to establish a Cultural Center in China. The two sides shared the desire to enhance cultural exchanges, cooperation in media, news, publishing, radio and television; strengthen cooperation in the fields of medicine, health care, traditional medicine, prevention and mitigation of natural disaster impacts, etc.

Also within the framework of his visit to China, in Guangzhou city, Guangdong province, General Secretary and President To Lam met with representatives of friendship organizations, relatives of revolutionary generals, experts and advisors who helped Vietnam in the resistance wars, as well as cadres and staff involved in the preservation of relics related to the Vietnamese revolution, and outstanding intellectuals and young people of China.

General Secretary and President To Lam and his wife visit the Vietnam Revolutionary Youth Association Headquarters relic site in Guangzhou city, Guangdong province. (Photo: VNA)

Taking place on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh's arrival in Guangzhou on his journey to find a way to save the country, the activities of General Secretary and President To Lam in Guangzhou demonstrate the Party and State of Vietnam's appreciation for China's coordination and support for the Vietnamese revolution in historical periods.

During the period from 1924 to 1927, President Ho Chi Minh and Chinese revolutionaries established a very close friendship that was later described by President Ho Chi Minh and Chinese leaders as "the close friendship between Vietnam and China, both comrades and brothers".

– Head of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission
Le Hoai Trung

The State visit to China by General Secretary and President To Lam in his new position is an important activity in implementing Vietnam's foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development; multilateralization and diversification of foreign relations, including the policy of valuing and giving top priority to relations with China.

With high-level agreements and concrete results achieved, the visit contributed to consolidating a favorable foreign situation, creating a peaceful and stable environment, bringing more favorable conditions for promoting socio-economic development, enhancing the country's position and prestige, and successfully implementing the goals set by the 13th National Party Congress.