Chinese President Xi Jinping congratulated Vietnam’s To Lam on his re-election as general secretary of the ruling Communist Party, calling the two countries “friendly socialist neighbours” and a “community with a shared future of strategic significance.”
Xi Praises Vietnam’s Achievements
In a congratulatory message sent on Friday, Xi praised Vietnam’s progress in socialist reform and development, noting that the country had achieved “remarkable results” in recent years while raising its international profile. The message, reported by China’s state news agency Xinhua, highlighted Beijing’s desire to deepen ties between the two communist-led neighbours.
“China and Vietnam are friendly socialist neighbours and a community with a shared future of strategic significance,” Xi said. He added that he places high value on relations between the two countries and their ruling parties.
Xi expressed his willingness to work with Lam to “strengthen strategic communication, carry forward traditional friendship, and firmly advance the socialist cause,” while contributing jointly to regional and global peace and stability.
Shared Ideology Amid Lingering Tensions
China and Vietnam remain among the few communist-ruled states in the world. Despite their ideological closeness, the neighbours share a complex relationship marked by both cooperation and tension. Historical mistrust and ongoing disputes over maritime boundaries and islands in the South China Sea have periodically strained relations.
However, both governments have sought to maintain stable ties, with party-to-party diplomacy often serving as a crucial channel for managing differences and promoting mutual interests.
Deepening Economic and Political Cooperation
Lam’s re-election on Friday followed a unanimous vote by Vietnam’s Communist Party central committee, extending his leadership for another five years. His renewed mandate is expected to ensure continuity in Hanoi’s foreign policy, which balances close economic engagement with China against growing strategic partnerships with other major powers.
Xi last visited Vietnam in April, urging both sides to strengthen cooperation in trade and supply chains amid pressure from U.S. tariffs. China remains Vietnam’s largest trading partner and a key supplier of materials and equipment that underpin the Southeast Asian country’s fast-growing manufacturing sector.
Analysts say Xi’s message reflects Beijing’s intent to preserve stable relations with Hanoi, particularly as competition with the United States intensifies across the Indo-Pacific region.
with inputs from Reuters
