General Secretary To Lam with General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping. Photo: DANG KHOA

Taking place over two days (April 14 and 15), this is the fourth visit to Vietnam by General Secretary and President Xi Jinping in his capacity as the highest leader of the Chinese Communist Party and State; it is also the second visit during the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam. The visit follows just over a year after General Secretary and President Xi Jinping's state visit to Vietnam (December 2023) and less than a year after General Secretary and President To Lam's state visit to China (August 2024). It is also General Secretary and President Xi Jinping's first overseas trip in 2025.

The visit took place during the Vietnam-China Humanitarian Exchange Year commemorating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries (1950-2025) and coincided with Vietnam's celebration of several significant events: the 95th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the 80th anniversary of the founding of the nation, and the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and the reunification of the country.

Held in that special context, the visit fully demonstrates the high regard that the Vietnamese and Chinese Parties and States attach to Vietnam-China relations and the deep friendship between the two Parties, two States, and the peoples of the two countries.

Greater strategic trust, deeper cooperation.

During talks and meetings, the leaders of both countries positively assessed the relationship between the two Parties and the two countries. Following the declaration of the strategically significant Vietnam-China Community of Shared Future, there have been remarkable developments following the "six more" direction: close strategic exchanges at high levels and other levels; substantive cooperation in various fields has progressed, with positive growth in economic and trade cooperation; the foundation of friendship has been more firmly consolidated, with many bright spots in tourism, education, culture, and local exchanges… Both sides cooperate well in multilateral mechanisms and forums; maintaining exchanges on outstanding issues in a sincere and open spirit.

Building on the stable and solid foundation of relations between the two Parties and two countries, the two sides established the direction for the development of Vietnam-China relations in the new period, highlighted in the Vietnam-China Joint Statement, on further deepening the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and promoting the building of a strategically significant Vietnam-China Community with a shared future. Accordingly, the two sides will "jointly raise strategic trust to a higher level," "build a more substantive pillar of defense and security cooperation," and "build a more comprehensive and in-depth cooperation structure"...

Affirming that the high-level orientation, especially the strategic orientation of the top leaders of the two Parties and two countries, plays an irreplaceable and crucial role in the stable and healthy development of Vietnam-China relations, both sides will continue to fully promote the special role of the Party channel and strengthen the role of the exchange and cooperation mechanism between the two Parties. At the same time, both sides will strengthen friendly exchanges and cooperation through the channels of the National Assembly, the Government, and the Fatherland Front. Emphasizing that defense and security cooperation is a pillar contributing significantly to consolidating strategic trust between the two Parties and two countries, both sides agreed to deepen political and security cooperation and establish a "3+3" strategic dialogue mechanism on diplomacy, defense, and public security at the ministerial level...

Regarding strengthening substantive cooperation in various fields, the Joint Statement emphasized that both sides view China's development of new-quality productive forces and Vietnam's development of new-quality productive forces as opportunities to build a more comprehensive and in-depth cooperation structure. Both sides stressed the need to strengthen strategic connectivity between the two economies, linking the regional development strategies of the two countries; striving to make scientific and technological cooperation a new highlight in bilateral cooperation; and strengthening cooperation in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, clean energy, green development, and the digital economy.

Firmly upholding the cause of friendship and strengthening the foundation of society.

Emphasizing their geographical proximity, cultural closeness, and strong people-to-people ties, and their shared efforts for the happiness of their peoples and the prosperity of their nations, as well as for the noble cause of peace and progress for humanity, Vietnam and China affirm that they attach great importance to and give high priority to their bilateral relationship, considering it a strategic choice.

The joint statement highlights the goal of "steadfastly promoting the cause of Vietnam-China friendship," accordingly, developing Vietnam-China relations from a strategic perspective and with a long-term vision, adhering to the motto "friendly neighborliness, comprehensive cooperation, long-term stability, and looking towards the future," the spirit of "good neighbors, good friends, good comrades, good partners," and the overall goal of "six more," continuing to deepen the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, and promoting the building of a strategically significant Vietnam-China Community of Shared Future. In implementing and deepening this content, both sides emphasized the importance of consolidating the solid social foundation of the Community. In particular, the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the Vietnam-China Year of People-to-People Exchanges present an opportunity to implement a series of meaningful and practical people-to-people exchanges, contributing to strengthening the social foundation.

At the Vietnam-China People's Friendship Meeting and the launch of the "Red Journey: Youth Research and Study," leaders of the Party and State of both countries emphasized that the historical practice of the past 75 years shows that friendship and cooperation have always been the main current of Vietnam-China relations, and one of the most important directions of cooperation is to consolidate a more solid social foundation. According to General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping, the source and strength of the relationship between the two Parties and two countries lies in the people. General Secretary To Lam stressed that the people, especially the younger generation of both countries, bear the responsibility of inheriting and developing the precious common assets of the two Parties and two countries, personally built by President Ho Chi Minh, Chairman Mao Zedong, and the senior leaders of both countries.

With the project "Red Journey: Youth Research and Learning," the two countries continue to coordinate effectively in promoting "red legacies" in both Vietnam and China, associated with the revolutionary life and activities of President Ho Chi Minh and other revolutionary predecessors of the two countries. This aims to educate the younger generation to have a deeper understanding of the revolutionary journey and mutual support between Vietnam and China, thereby enhancing awareness of the traditional friendship and relations between the two Parties and the two countries.