Xi Jinping arrives in Vietnam for state visit

Xi Jinping with Vietnamese President Luong Cuong upon his arrival in Hanoi -- image via X

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China and Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Hanoi, Vietnam, on Monday (April 14) for a state visit at the invitation of To Lam, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, and Vietnamese President Luong Cuong.

On his arrival he released a statement saying "This will be my fourth visit to this beautiful country since I became General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and President of the People’s Republic of China. I look forward to renewing friendship with Vietnamese leaders, discussing ways of boosting cooperation, and drawing up a new blueprint for the China-Viet Nam community with a shared future in the new era."

For his part, To Lam noted in a statement that "Vietnam and China are two close neighbours, connected by mountains and rivers, the people of the two countries have shared many similarities in culture and customs, and together cultivated a long-standing traditional friendship that has lasted for thousands of years.

In the revolutionary journey that was closely linked from the beginning with countless difficulties, generations of leaders of the two Parties and two countries, directly President Ho Chi Minh and Chairman Mao Zedong, have constantly worked hard to cultivate "the close relationship between Vietnam and China, both comrades and brothers". During many years of revolutionary activities in China, President Ho Chi Minh always received precious sentiments and enthusiastic help from the Chinese communists and people. Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh, Vietnamese communists also actively participated in the revolutionary movement in China. The history of standing shoulder to shoulder and sharing joys and sorrows between the revolutionary predecessors of the two countries was a shining example in the revolutionary struggle movement of the world proletariat, laying a solid foundation for the future friendship between Vietnam and China."

Xi Jinping reflected on this as well stating:

During modern times, pioneers of Chinese and Vietnamese revolutions together explored a path to national salvation and made important contribution to the Third World’s victory in the struggle against colonialism and imperialism. The historical site of the Vietnamese Revolutionary Youth League in Guangzhou and the site of the office of the League for Independence of Viet Nam in Jingxi, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region bear witness to the revolutionary friendship between China and Viet Nam. Chairman Ho Chi Minh joined and supported the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression in Yan’an, Guilin, Chongqing and Kunming . China sent military and political advisers in support of the Vietnamese people’s War Against French Occupation. The Communist Party of China and the Chinese government and people gave full support for Viet Nam’s just War Against U.S. Aggression to Save the Nation. This well-known line, “The friendship between Viet Nam and China is so profound because we are both comrades and brothers,” is etched on our shared revolutionary memory.

To Lam reflected:

During his state visit to Vietnam in December 2023, Party General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping profoundly summarised: "Both China and Vietnam are responsible members of the international community. The two countries should become core forces in advancing the cause of human progress." Building on the 75-year tradition of friendly relations, with many cultural similarities and shared interests in peace and development for the peoples of both nations, the two Parties and countries are confident and determined to advance the glorious and great cause, to continue deepening our Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership, and promoting the building of a Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries trategic significance, developing quickly and sustainably; and to successfully build socialism in each country, and firmly step into a new era of development.

The success of the friendship between our two Parties and two countries not only brings happiness and serves the best interests of our peoples but also makes increasingly practical and responsible contributions to peace, stability, social progress, and the prosperous development of nations in the region and around the world.

Full statement from Xi Jinping: Building on Past Achievements and Making New Advances In Pursuit of Shared Goals

Full statement from To Lam: JOINING HANDS TO OPEN A NEW ERA OF DEVELOPMENT OF VIETNAM-CHINA FRIENDSHIP