President Xi Jinping of China made an official visit to Vietnam from December 12 to 13 at the invitation of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong and Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong. This visit signifies a strengthening of the already strong bilateral relations between the two neighboring countries.
This marked President Xi’s third visit to Vietnam, highlighting the importance China places on its relationship with Vietnam. The visit paved the way for further elevation of relations between China and Vietnam, expanding cooperation in various areas including trade, investment, infrastructure development, energy transformation, finance, green and digital economy, agriculture, science and technology, healthcare, tourism, education, and people-to-people exchanges.
The year 2023 is significant as it marks the 10th anniversary of China's principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit, and inclusiveness in neighborhood diplomacy, and the 15th anniversary of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between China and Vietnam. The timing of President Xi's visit underscores the commitment of both nations to deepen their longstanding partnership.
During the visit, both countries agreed on a new positioning of relations between the two parties and nations. They committed to building a China-Vietnam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance, based on deepening their comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership. This reflects their dedication to enhancing friendship and solidarity amidst the changing global geopolitical environment.
On December 13, China and Vietnam issued a joint statement on further deepening and elevating their comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, and building a China-Vietnam community with a shared future. This statement emphasizes their shared vision and the strategic importance of their relationship.
Beijing and Hanoi are not only immediate neighbors but also strategic partners that share similar political systems and ideologies. Deepening mutually beneficial cooperation aligns with the common interests of both countries, fostering stability and development in the region.
Vietnam has drawn inspiration from China's experience in economic development. Learning from China's reform and opening-up policies, Vietnam initiated its own economic reforms, known as “Doi Moi”, in the 1980s. Over the past 40 years, “Doi Moi” has significantly contributed to Vietnam's economic growth and industrial advancement.
President Xi Jinping's visit signifies a new chapter in China-Vietnam relations, reinforcing their commitment to shared development and prosperity. The strengthened partnership is expected to bring substantial benefits to both nations and contribute positively to regional stability and growth.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
