The leaders of China and Vietnam expressed their commitment to strengthening economic ties and highlighted their shared communist ideology during the first official visit of Vietnam’s new president to Beijing. To Lam, who assumed office in May, chose China as his inaugural state visit destination, underscoring Vietnam’s continued emphasis on its significant relationship with its large neighbor despite ongoing disputes in the South China Sea. Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed Lam and his wife, Ngo Phuong Ly, at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, emphasizing the enduring friendship between the two countries and prioritizing Vietnam in China’s neighborhood diplomacy.

During the visit, Xi Jinping acknowledged the importance of the ruling Communist parties in both nations and emphasized the need to uphold their traditional friendship to advance the global socialist cause. Lam, who recently became Vietnam’s Communist Party general secretary, reiterated that the relationship with China remains a top priority in Vietnam’s foreign policy. The leaders oversaw the signing of 14 cooperation agreements spanning various sectors like political education, infrastructure, healthcare, and banking, reflecting the strong economic relationship between the two countries, with total bilateral trade reaching $172 billion last year.

Lam affirmed Vietnam’s support for China’s stance on the “One China” principle, including its claim over Taiwan, and recognized issues related to Hong Kong, Tibet, and Xinjiang as internal affairs of China. The visit highlighted Vietnam’s strategic efforts to maintain a balance in its international relations with countries like China, the United States, and Russia. Both the U.S. and Japan have been strengthening ties with Vietnam in the face of growing competition with China in economic and strategic realms.

Despite past conflicts and territorial disputes, Vietnam has experienced economic benefits from Chinese investment, particularly as Chinese manufacturers have relocated production to Vietnam to bypass U.S. trade restrictions. The visit signals ongoing efforts by both nations to navigate their complex relationship while acknowledging their ideological similarities. The leaders also discussed regional issues, including their shared interests in the South China Sea, a region that has seen tensions and competing territorial claims.