China’s top leader, Xi Jinping signed 14 deals with Vietnam’s newly anointed leader To Lam in Beijing on Monday. This meeting signals close ties between them, despite occasional boundary clashes in the South China Sea.
“China has always regarded Vietnam as a priority in its neighbourhood diplomacy, and supports Vietnam in deepening the cause of reforms and socialist modernisation,” Xi said.
Lam has called his trip to China “the affirmation of the Vietnamese government to value the relation with China.” He has described bilateral ties with as a “top priority in Vietnam’s external policy.”
The two countries have signed agreements for planning and feasibility studies to upgrade cross-border rail links. This follows preliminary deals from December during Xi’s visit to Hanoi.
In December, the nations committed to improving cross-border railway connectivity. They identified three key projects, including one linking Vietnam’s Haiphong with China’s Shenzhen.
Vietnamese officials have prioritized rail links for upcoming high-level meetings. Currently, two railways connect China’s south to Hanoi, but outdated Vietnamese infrastructure requires passengers to change trains.
Upgrading Vietnam’s railways could enhance trade and investment. Many Chinese manufacturers are relocating operations to Vietnam due to US-China trade tensions.
Additional agreements were made on cooperation in banking, media, health, and the inspection of coconuts, crocodiles, and durians. After the signing, Xi and Lam continued discussions over tea in a friendly setting, Xinhua reported.
The two countries will also issue a joint declaration on further strengthening their strategic partnership. Both communist-run neighbours have well-developed economic and trade relations.
China and Vietnam had forged diplomatic ties in 1950 and established a comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation in 2008 that was jointly fortified five years later to extend to more shared international and regional issues of concern.
Lam arrived in China’s southern province Guangzhou on Sunday for a three-day visit that would include meetings with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and other Chinese top officials.
(With inputs from Reuters)
