Chinese President Xi Jinping is to pay a state visit to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, December 12-13, at the invitation of his Vietnamese counterparts, Communist Party of Vietnam General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President Vo Van Thuong. This will be Xi’s third state visit to China’s socialist neighbour, his previous trips being in 2015 and 2017.
Preparatory to the state visit, China’s top diplomat, Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited the Vietnamese capital Hanoi at the beginning of December, where he co-chaired the 15th meeting of the China-Vietnam Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation together with Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang on December 1.
Wang Yi said, this year is of special significance to both China and Vietnam. The socialist causes of both countries have entered a crucial stage and the two sides have reached important common understandings on upgrading the positioning of bilateral relations, which will usher in a new stage of bilateral relations.
Facing a world with changes and turmoil and the complicated situation, China and Vietnam should stay true to their original aspirations, remain united, firmly follow the path of peace, cooperation and development, and view the relations between the two parties and between the two countries from the strategic perspective of promoting human progress and boosting the strength of socialism.
Wang Yi further said that the two countries should manage differences through friendly consultation, actively advance maritime cooperation, and safeguard the hard-won peace and stability in the South China Sea.
Tran Luu Quang said as a “comrade and brother”, Vietnam supports China’s development and strength and supports China in playing an increasingly important role in safeguarding regional and world peace and stability.
Also, on December 1, Wang Yi met with General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong.
The Chinese Foreign Minister first conveyed General Secretary Xi Jinping’s most sincere greetings to General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong. Wang Yi said that under the strong leadership of the CPV Central Committee headed by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, Vietnam has achieved political and social harmony and stability, vigorous economic development and the continuous improvement of its international status, expressing confidence in Vietnam to achieve its set strategic goals. The top leaders of the two parties of China and Vietnam have established solid political mutual trust and profound comradeship, steering the course of bilateral relations and providing important strategic guidance. He added that sharing the same ideals and a shared future are the most salient features of China-Vietnam relations.
Nguyen Phu Trong asked Wang Yi to convey his warmest greetings to General Secretary Xi Jinping. He said that Vietnam and China are linked by mountains and rivers. The “comradely and brotherly” friendship between Vietnam and China is particularly unique in the world. The Vietnamese leader said that after he took office as General Secretary of the CPV Central Committee for the third time, the first country he paid a visit to was China, and he had very good exchanges with General Secretary Xi Jinping, of which he has a fresh memory. Nguyen Phu Trong said that not long ago, he travelled to the Youyi Pass, or Friendship Pass, on the Vietnam-China border to plant a friendship tree. The border port between Vietnam and China, which is the only one named after friendship among neighbours, fully highlighted the traditional friendship between the two countries cherished by Vietnam.
Wang Yi responded that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s deep feelings toward China are very touching, and expressed the belief that the tree of China-Vietnam friendship will surely flourish and be fruitful.
On the same day, Wang Yi also met with President of Vietnam Vo Van Thuong. He said that Comrade President attended the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in October upon invitation, making important contributions to the success of the Forum. General Secretary Xi Jinping and President Vo Van Thuong reached important common understandings on consolidating China-Vietnam friendship and advancing high-quality cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative and the “Two Corridors and One Economic Circle” plan, charting the course for deepening China-Vietnam comprehensive strategic cooperation.
Vo Van Thuong said that both Vietnam and China are at a critical stage of development, and strengthening cooperation is conducive to their respective revitalisation. Vietnam is ready to make joint efforts with China to continuously consolidate and deepen the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership. The two sides should make thoughtful preparations for the important political agenda in the next stage and put into real action the common understandings reached by the top leaders of the two parties.
Meeting with Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, also on December 1,Wang Yi said that sharing the same ideals and a shared future are the salient features of China-Vietnam relations. The two parties and two countries have seen close high-level exchanges and frequent contacts like visiting relatives, which fully demonstrates the high level and special nature of China-Vietnam relations. China and Vietnam have the same social system and shared ideals and beliefs, and bilateral relations should be at the forefront compared to other countries. Defining a new positioning and setting new goals for bilateral relations will not only open up new prospects for the development of the relations between the two parties and the two countries, but also make new contributions of China and Viet Nam to the cause of peace and progress of humanity.
Bui Thanh Son said the party, state and people of Vietnam have special feelings for China, and the friendship between Vietnam and China is deeply rooted in people’s hearts. Vietnam regards the development of relations with China as a strategic choice and top priority, and hopes to promote the sound, stable and lasting development of relations between the two parties and between the two countries, and elevate bilateral relations to new heights.
Finally, on December 2, Wang Yi met with Member of the CPV Central Committee Secretariat and Head of the CPV Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations Le Hoai Trung.
Wang Yi said that sharing the same ideals and a shared future are the most salient features of China-Vietnam relations, and the “comradely and brotherly” friendship between China and Vietnam is the most vivid illustration of their relations. The top leaders of the two parties have established solid mutual trust and deep friendship, which is the most important political safeguard for the steady development of relations between the two countries. China regards Vietnam as a priority in its neighbourhood diplomacy, and stands ready to work with Vietnam to follow through on the high-level common understandings, make good preparations for the important political agenda between the two countries, and join hands in advancing the building of a China-Vietnam community with a shared future.
Le Hoai Trung said that Vietnam, the CPV and the Vietnamese people have deep feelings toward China, and developing Vietnam-China relations is a strategic choice and top priority of Vietnam’s foreign policy. The Vietnamese side is satisfied with the sound and positive development momentum of bilateral relations. Vietnam and China are both socialist countries at the crucial stage of national development. Facing the complex and changing world situation, the Vietnamese side looks forward to closer high-level exchanges between the two sides to bring bilateral relations to a new stage of more in-depth, more solid, more comprehensive and more effective development, so as to lay a more sound and solid foundation for the future of Vietnam-China relations.
The following reports were first published on the websites of the Xinhua News Agency and the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
Xi to pay state visit to Vietnam
BEIJING, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) — Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese president, will pay a state visit to Vietnam from Dec. 12 to 13, foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying announced on Thursday.
Xi’s visit is at the invitation of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong and State President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Vo Van Thuong, Hua said.
The China-Viet Nam Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation Held the 15th Meeting
On December 1, 2023 local time, the 15th meeting of the China-Viet Nam Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation was held in Hanoi, Viet Nam. The meeting was co-chaired by Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang and attended online and offline by responsible officials of multiple ministries and sub-national departments from both sides as members of the mechanism.
Wang Yi said, this year is of special significance to both China and Viet Nam. China has made a smooth start in implementing the guiding principles of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), and Viet Nam has stepped up the implementation of the resolutions of the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Viet Nam. The socialist causes of both countries have entered a crucial stage. This year marks the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Viet Nam comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, and under the strategic guidance of General Secretary Xi Jinping and General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, bilateral relations have been running at a high level and strategic cooperation has been deepened across the board. The two sides have reached important common understandings on upgrading the positioning of bilateral relations, which will usher in a new stage of bilateral relations. China is ready to work with Viet Nam to make good use of the steering committee for bilateral cooperation, a general management mechanism for overall coordination of bilateral cooperation, make overall planning for cooperation in the next stage, and make positive contributions to advancing China-Viet Nam relations in the new era.
Noting that China-Viet Nam relations have achieved great development since the last meeting, Wang Yi said effective high-level guidance, breakthroughs in practical cooperation, progress in maritime cooperation and strong multilateral support have laid a solid foundation for bilateral relations to enter a new stage. Facing a world with changes and turmoils and the complicated situation, China and Viet Nam should stay true to their original aspirations, remain united, firmly follow the path of peace, cooperation and development, and view the relations between the two parties and between the two countries from the strategic perspective of promoting human progress and boosting the strength of socialism. The two sides should maintain high-level strategic communication, continue to build consensus and enhance mutual trust, strengthen cooperation mechanisms in national defense, public security, and security, among others, and deepen non-traditional security cooperation in counter-terrorism and cracking down on telecommunications fraud, among others. The two sides should leverage geographical proximity and industrial complementarity to deepen cooperation in economy and trade, connectivity, key minerals and other fields, and jointly build a mutually beneficial, stable and unimpeded industrial and supply chain system. The two sides should strengthen exchanges between the publicity departments of the two parties, central media and publishing institutions, culture and tourism, youth and sub-national counterparts to facilitate personnel exchanges and enhance mutual understanding between the two peoples. Both sides should work together to safeguard international equity and justice, act on true multilateralism, and support each other on issues concerning their respective major interests. Both sides should abide by the high-level consensus, manage differences through friendly consultation, actively advance maritime cooperation, and safeguard the hard-won peace and stability in the South China Sea.
Tran Luu Quang said the Vietnamese side expressed sincere congratulations on the historic achievements made by the CPC, China and the Chinese people since entering the new era, especially since the 20th CPC National Congress, and firmly believes that China will successfully realize the second centenary goal. As a “comrade and brother”, Viet Nam supports China’s development and strength and supports China in playing an increasingly important role in safeguarding regional and world peace and stability. This year marks the 15th anniversary of the Viet Nam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, and the relations between the two parties and between the two countries have developed vigorously and achieved fruitful results. The two sides have maintained close high-level exchanges, constantly consolidated political mutual trust, made positive progress in exchanges at various levels and at various localities, and witnessed the rapid development of cooperation in such fields as economy and trade, investment, transportation, science and technology. Viet Nam agreed with China on the overall vision of the development of bilateral relations in the next stage. Viet Nam is ready to strengthen the momentum of high-level mutual visits and actively carry out inter-party and parliamentary exchanges. Both sides should give good play to the coordinating role of the steering committee, security closer cooperation in diplomacy, national defense and security, work for greater development in economy and trade, investment and financial cooperation, strengthen cooperation in transportation, agriculture, environmental protection, science and technology, tourism and education as well as sub-national exchanges, and expand cooperation in artificial intelligence and green energy. The two sides should properly and effectively manage differences in accordance with the consensus reached by the high-level leaders of the two countries, jointly promote the consultations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, and make the South China Sea a sea of peace and cooperation.
Both sides agreed to give good play to the coordinating role of the steering committee, step up synergy between various departments and form more specific cooperation ideas with a focus on the new positioning of China-Viet Nam relations, promote in-depth and substantive China-Viet Nam comprehensive strategic cooperation and lay a solid foundation for the new stage of bilateral relations.
General Secretary of the CPV Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong Meets with Wang Yi
On December 1, 2023 local time, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong met with Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Hanoi.
Wang Yi first conveyed General Secretary Xi Jinping’s most sincere greetings to General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong. Wang Yi said that under the strong leadership of the CPV Central Committee headed by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, Viet Nam has achieved political and social harmony and stability, vigorous economic development and the continuous improvement of its international status, expressing confidence in Viet Nam to achieve its set strategic goals. The top leaders of the two parties of China and Viet Nam have established solid political mutual trust and profound comradeship, steering the course of bilateral relations and providing important strategic guidance. Wang Yi said that to follow through on the strategic common understandings reached by the top leaders of the two parties, he and Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang co-chaired the 15th Meeting of the China-Viet Nam Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation this morning and reached a series of common understandings on promoting cooperation in various fields in the next stage.
Wang Yi said that sharing the same ideals and a shared future are the most salient features of China-Viet Nam relations. China appreciates that Viet Nam has always taken its relations with China as its strategic choice and top priority in its diplomacy, and China also takes its relations with Viet Nam as a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy. On the basis of 15 years of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries, it came about naturally that the two sides reached a common understanding on upgrading bilateral relations. This is in line with the common aspirations and interests of the two countries, conducive to regional and world peace and development, and will open up brighter prospects for relations between the two countries.
Nguyen Phu Trong asked Wang Yi to convey his warmest greetings to General Secretary Xi Jinping. Nguyen Phu Trong said that Viet Nam and China are linked by mountains and rivers. The “comradely and brotherly” friendship between Viet Nam and China is particularly unique in the world. Nguyen Phu Trong said that after he took office as General Secretary of the CPV Central Committee for the third time, the first country he paid a visit to was China, and he had very good exchanges with General Secretary Xi Jinping, of which he has had fresh memory. Nguyen Phu Trong said that not long ago, he traveled to the Youyi Pass, or Friendship Pass, on the Viet Nam-China border recently to plant a friendship tree. The border port between Viet Nam and China, which is the only one named after friendship among neighbors, fully highlighted the traditional friendship between the two countries cherished by Viet Nam. The constant development of Viet Nam-China relations fully accords with the aspiration of the Vietnamese people, and Viet Nam believes that through joint efforts of the two sides, the “comradely and brotherly” friendship between the two countries will be increasingly cemented.
Wang Yi said that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s deep feelings toward China are very touching, and expressed the belief that the tree of China-Viet Nam friendship will surely flourish and be fruitful.
On the same day, Wang Yi also met respectively with President of Viet Nam Vo Van Thuong, and Foreign Minister of Viet Nam Bui Thanh Son.
President of Viet Nam Vo Van Thuong Meets with Wang Yi
On December 1, 2023 local time, President of Viet Nam Vo Van Thuong met with Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Hanoi.
Wang Yi first conveyed cordial greetings and best wishes from General Secretary and President Xi Jinping to President Vo Van Thuong. Wang Yi said, under the strategic guidance of General Secretary Xi Jinping and General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, China-Viet Nam relations have been running at a high level, which not only benefits the two peoples, but also promotes peace and development of the region and the world. Comrade President Vo Van Thuong attended the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in October upon invitation, making important contributions to the success of the Forum. General Secretary Xi Jinping and Vo Van Thuong reached important common understandings on consolidating China-Viet Nam friendship and advancing high-quality cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative and the “Two Corridors and One Economic Circle” plan, charting the course for deepening China-Viet Nam comprehensive strategic cooperation. Wang Yi said, his travel to Viet Nam to co-chair the 15th Meeting of the China-Viet Nam Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation with Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang is to jointly follow through on the important common understandings reached by leaders of the two parties and two countries. The two sides reviewed the progress in cooperation in various fields, defined work directions for the next stage, and reached new common understandings on deepening cooperation and promoting the sound and steady development of China-Viet Nam relations in all fields.
Wang Yi said, China and Viet Nam enjoy a profound traditional friendship and this year marks the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Viet Nam comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership. Comrade President Vo Van Thuong said on many occasions that the Vietnamese side regards consolidating and deepening China-Viet Nam relations as its strategic choice and top priority in its foreign policy. China also regards Viet Nam as a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy. China is ready to make coordinated efforts with Viet Nam to advance next-stage cooperation in various fields, to ensure steady and sustained progress in the building of a China-Viet Nam community with a shared future.
Vo Van Thuong asked Wang Yi to convey his sincere greetings to General Secretary and President Xi Jinping, and expressed his belief that under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, China will follow through on the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress and continue to make greater achievements in development. Both Viet Nam and China are at a critical stage of development, and strengthening cooperation is conducive to their respective revitalization. Viet Nam is ready to make joint efforts with China to continuously consolidate and deepen the Viet Nam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership. The two sides should make thoughtful preparations for the important political agenda in the next stage and put into real action the common understandings reached by the top leaders of the two parties. Noting that China’s investment in Viet Nam grew rapidly in the first 10 months of this year and bilateral trade maintained a sound momentum, he expressed hope that both sides will further strengthen cooperation in trade and investment, inter-party, legislative institutions, sub-national, youth, national defense and security areas. The two countries can reinforce complementary strengths in seeking strategic synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and the “Two Corridors and One Economic Circle” plan, and carry out more cooperation in energy transition, key infrastructure and other aspects. Viet Nam is willing to work with China to support each other in international and regional affairs, and is glad to see China grow stronger and play a more important role in international affairs.
Wang Yi Meets with Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son
On December 1, 2023 local time, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son in Hanoi.
Wang Yi said that sharing the same ideals and a shared future are the salient features of China-Viet Nam relations. The two parties and two countries have seen close high-level exchanges and frequent contacts like visiting relatives, which fully demonstrates the high level and special nature of China-Viet Nam relations. China and Viet Nam have the same social system and shared ideals and beliefs, and bilateral relations should be at the forefront compared to other countries. Defining a new positioning and setting new goals for bilateral relations will not only open up new prospects for the development of the relations between the two parties and the two countries, but also make new contributions of China and Viet Nam to the cause of peace and progress of mankind.
Wang Yi emphasized that the foreign affairs departments of the two countries should encourage, support and coordinate with various departments and sub-national governments to follow through on the strategic common understandings reached by the top leaders of the two parties, strengthen inter-party interactions and exchanges of experience in governance, and help reach a new climax in practical cooperation in various fields. China and Viet Nam should actively promote mutually beneficial cooperation related to the sea, prevent the interference of external forces, accelerate consultations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, and make the South China Sea a sea of peace and cooperation. In the international and multilateral fields, China and Viet Nam should closely coordinate and support each other to jointly uphold international fairness and justice.
Bui Thanh Son said the party, state and people of Viet Nam have special feelings for China, and the friendship between Viet Nam and China is deeply rooted in people’s hearts. Viet Nam regards the development of relations with China as a strategic choice and top priority, and hopes to promote the sound, stable and lasting development of relations between the two parties and between the two countries, and elevate bilateral relations to new heights. The foreign affairs departments of the two countries can work closely together, give good play to the role of coordinating and promoting cooperation in various fields, strengthen high-level exchanges and exchanges at various levels, and deepen practical cooperation in agricultural products, connectivity, high technology, tourism, and other fields. The Vietnamese side is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with the Chinese side in international and regional affairs, and support the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative. China’s ideals and initiatives are in line with the spirit of the United Nations Charter and the aspirations of all countries to build a better world, and are conducive to the cause of peace and progress of mankind. The Vietnamese side is willing to work with the Chinese side to jointly maintain maritime peace and stability in accordance with the high-level common understandings between the two countries.
The two sides also had an exchange of views on international and regional hotspot issues of mutual interest and concern.
Wang Yi Meets with Member of the CPV Central Committee Secretariat and Head of the CPV Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations Le Hoai Trung
On December 2, 2023 local time, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi met with Member of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) Central Committee Secretariat and Head of the CPV Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations Le Hoai Trung in Hanoi.
Wang Yi congratulated Le Hoai Trung on assuming his post as Member of the CPV Central Committee Secretariat. Wang Yi said that sharing the same ideals and a shared future are the most salient features of China-Viet Nam relations, and the “comradely and brotherly” friendship between China and Viet Nam is the most vivid illustration of China-Viet Nam relations. The top leaders of the two parties have established solid mutual trust and deep friendship, which is the most important political safeguard for the steady development of relations between the two countries. China regards Viet Nam as a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy, and stands ready to work with Viet Nam to follow through on the high-level common understandings, make good preparations for the important political agenda between the two countries, and join hands in advancing the building of a China-Viet Nam community with a shared future. He expressed the belief that under the strategic guidance of General Secretary Xi Jinping and General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, the relations between the two parties and the two countries will continuously move ahead and open up brighter prospects, and cooperation in various fields will usher in a new climax, which will boost respective efforts to accelerate development and revitalization and will make new contributions to the vitality of the socialist cause.
Le Hoai Trung said that Viet Nam, the CPV and the Vietnamese people have deep feelings toward China, and developing Viet Nam-China relations is a strategic choice and top priority of Viet Nam’s foreign policy. The Vietnamese side is satisfied with the sound and positive development momentum of bilateral relations. Viet Nam and China are both socialist countries at the crucial stage of national development. Facing the complex and changing world situations, the Vietnamese side looks forward to closer high-level exchanges between the two sides to bring bilateral relations to a new stage of more in-depth, more solid, more comprehensive and more effective development, so as to lay a more sound and solid foundation for the future of Viet Nam-China relations.
