Broader scope of Vietnam – China comprehensive strategic cooperation

During Xi’s visit it is expected that the two sides will discuss the possibility of elevating joint relations to a higher position on the back of the positive developments recorded in their comprehensive strategic cooperation partnership over the years.

China, the world’s second largest economy, is Vietnam’s largest trading partner, whilst Vietnam is China’s largest trading partner in ASEAN and the fourth largest trading partner globally after the United States, Japan, and the Republic of Korea.

The first 10 months of the year saw the northern neighbour pour more than US$2.5 billion into 555 projects, making it the fourth largest FDI investor in the Vietnamese market. Approximately 1.3 million Chinese visitors travelled to Vietnam throughout the reviewed period, making it the second largest tourism market.

According to Nong Duc Lai, commercial counselor of the Vietnamese Embassy in China, over the past 15 years trade turnover between the two countries has increased more than eight times, hitting US$175.5 billion last year. In addition, Chinese investment into the Vietnamese market has also leapfrogged by nearly 10 places, thereby ranking sixth among more than 140 countries and territories investing in the country.

Both sides boast great potential to achieve stronger economic and trade cooperation which is highly complementary, Lai told VOV, noting that the two sides are in the process of accelerating the opening of markets for their key agricultural products.

Politically, the two countries have maintained a regular exchange of delegation visits and contacts at all levels, especially following the China visit made in late 2022 by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong to outline their future collaboration plans.

During a working trip made to the Friendship International Border Gate in August 2023, the Party leader told Chinese Ambassador Xiong Bo that the Vietnamese side gives top priority to building and developing its strong relationship with China. Meanwhile, the Chinese diplomat also affirmed that ties between both sides, which were founded and cultivated by Chinese Chairman Mao Zedong and Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh and many other generations of leaders of the two countries, is unique and will live long forever.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, during his working visit to Hanoi in early December, also reaffirmed that developing relations with Vietnam remains a top priority in China’s neighbourhood diplomacy strategy.

Local cooperation, particularly joint efforts between the two countries’ border localities, serves as a bright spot in bilateral relations. Notably, an exchange meeting between the Party Secretaries of the four Vietnamese border provinces of Quang Ninh, Lang Son, Cao Bang, and Ha Giang with the Chinese province of Guangxi’s Zhuang Autonomous Region has been held annually.

Ho Tien Thieu, head of the Lang Son provincial administration, pointed out that local cooperation between the two countries is increasingly promoting its practical effectiveness, thereby contributing to deepening the connotation of the Vietnam – China comprehensive strategic cooperation partnership. He revealed that Lang Son has submitted to the Prime Minister a project which seeks to develop smart border gates at its Friendship and Tan Thanh border gates, whilst China’s Guangxi has shown its readiness to undertake the joint project.

President Xi’s visit to Vietnam, along with General Secretary Trong’s visit to China late last year, are anticipated to take mutual relations to new heights, thereby contributing to peace, stability, and cooperation in the region and the wider world.