The recent meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Vietnamese President To Lam marks a display of close ties between the two neighbouring states, despite occasional tensions. This meeting, Lam’s first state visit since taking office, came just a month after assuming leadership in Vietnam following the death of Nguyen Phu Trong.
China welcomed Lam’s choice to visit China first, highlighting the importance he attaches to the relationship between the two countries. The visit included discussions on strengthening economic and trade relations, as well as railway cooperation and infrastructure investments. Additionally, both countries agreed to enhance communication to handle unexpected incidents in the South China Sea.
Despite occasional strains, China and Vietnam have a longstanding relationship, with diplomatic ties established in 1950 and a strategic partnership of cooperation established in 2008. However, disputes over territories in the South China Sea have strained relations in the past, leading to deadly clashes in 2014.
Despite these challenges, efforts are being made to deepen cooperation in various fields, including agriculture, energy, and infrastructure under China’s Belt and Road Initiative. As Vietnam also seeks to improve its relations with the United States, the meeting between Xi and Lam serves as a reminder of the complex dynamics at play among the neighbouring states in the region.
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