On Tuesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit Vietnam for the first time in six years. The move aims to counter the US’ growing influence with the Southeast Asian country.
Overview
Xi will hold talks with Vietnamese PM Pham Minh Chinh and President Vo Van Thuong during the visit. He will also lay a wreath at the mausoleum of revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh on Wednesday.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said the agenda for Xi’s trip includes discussions on “politics, security, practical cooperation, the formation of public opinion, multilateral issues and maritime issues.”
The visit will also include discussions on elevating bilateral ties to “a higher position.”
Comments from Xi
In a signed article released by the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Tuesday, Xi noted that it was his third state visit to the country, which comes at the time that the two mark the 15th anniversary of their comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.
Xi's Visit to Vietnam to Set Tune for High-Caliber Development of Bilateral Ties: Ambassador
— Zhang Heqing (@zhang_heqing) December 12, 2023
The upcoming state visit to Vietnam by Chinese President Xi Jinping will set tone for high-caliber development of bilateral ties in the new era, with new positioning and new direction for… pic.twitter.com/yomMWCElwU
Xi highlighted that China has “long been” Vietnam’s largest trading partner, while Vietnam is China’s “biggest trading partner in ASEAN and the fourth largest globally.”
The Chinese leader further suggested that the neighbours “make full use of counterpart exchange mechanisms such as central media outlets, think tanks, cultural and tourism departments, publishers, as well as radio, film and television institutions.”
“We should deepen cooperation in Chinese language education, vocational education, sports and health. We should ensure the success of flagship events including the China-Viet Nam People’s Forum and the China-Viet Nam Youth Friendship Meeting with a view to increasing mutual understanding,” Xi added.
US-Vietnam Ties
Xi’s visit to the communist nation comes a few months after a historic state visit to Vietnam by US President Joe Biden, during which the two sides elevated bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The White House had said that the “unprecedented and momentous elevation of ties,” from a Comprehensive Partnership established in 2013 to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, aims to help both partners achieve their “shared goals of peace, prosperity, and sustainable development.”
They also announced investment in the innovation economy and cooperation in science and technology. This includes a new semiconductor partnership that will help support resilient semiconductor supply chains for American industries.