The upcoming visit to Vietnam by China’s Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping is poised to elevate bilateral cooperation, according to Permanent Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Vu. Vu outlined three key expectations for both nations during this significant visit.
In a press interview, Vu highlighted that Xi’s visit on December 12 and 13 will mark the first visit by the top leader of the Chinese Party and State to Vietnam since the 20th CPC National Congress and a year after Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s visit to China.
Coinciding with the 15th anniversary of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between Vietnam and China, this visit is anticipated to be a pivotal milestone in the two countries’ relations.
Building on the important achievements of the past 15 years, leaders of the two Parties and countries are expected to deepen the bilateral cooperation framework, fostering long-term ties in a sustainable, substantial, and effective direction. This is aimed at contributing to peace, stability, and cooperation in the region and the world.
The visit is likely to result in the signing of numerous documents across various fields, providing a crucial foundation for agencies, localities, people, and businesses to collaborate more effectively in the future.
Firstly, the expectation is for a “new positioning” and a “new level” of bilateral relations.
Secondly, there are expectations for substantial cooperation outcomes. Vu emphasized that leaders of the two Parties and countries will define major orientations, focus areas, and specific measures to enhance collaboration in all fields, aligning with the interests of both sides.
Thirdly, there is an expectation of the visit’s spillover effect across all levels, sectors, and communities. This visit, along with Trong’s visit last year, is hoped to provide strong motivations and momentum for sectors, localities, and people to maintain and develop their existing relationships, thereby establishing a solid and positive social foundation for the development of bilateral relations.
Economic, trade, and investment cooperation between the two sides has witnessed further intensification. China has maintained its position as Vietnam’s largest trading partner for 20 consecutive years, with Vietnam currently being China’s largest trading partner in ASEAN and the fourth largest trading partner globally after the U.S., Japan, and the Republic of Korea.
Two-way trade has surged ninefold to nearly US$180 billion in 2022 from $20 billion in 2008. China’s investment in Vietnam has increased more than tenfold to $25 billion over the last 15 years. In 2023, China stands as the fourth-largest investor in Vietnam among all countries.