Chinese President Xi Jinping, also General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, held strategic talks with Le Hoai Trung, special envoy of Vietnam's Communist Party leader To Lam, during a high-level meeting in Beijing on February 4, 2026. The discussion focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation in trade, infrastructure, and regional security ahead of this year's ASEAN leadership summit.
Xi emphasized the 'shared socialist aspirations' between the two nations, while Trung conveyed Vietnam's commitment to deepening cross-border economic partnerships. Observers note the timing aligns with preparations for Vietnam's 2026 ASEAN chairmanship, where regional supply chain resilience and South China Sea cooperation are expected to dominate agendas.
The meeting follows recent progress on the China-Vietnam rail connectivity project, part of Beijing's broader infrastructure initiatives across Southeast Asia. Both sides reaffirmed their dedication to resolving maritime disputes through dialogue, with Xi stating: 'Our comprehensive strategic partnership remains a stabilizing force in Asia's development landscape.'
