Vietnam and China reach a new historical milestone.

Reuniting for their third meeting in Vietnam, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping emphasized the importance each country places on bilateral relations.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and his wife, General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping and his wife at the Presidential Palace on December 12 - Photo: VNA

Both sides also agreed to jointly build a "Vietnam-China community with a shared future of strategic significance".

Respect each other

At noon on December 12th, many Vietnamese and Chinese people lined the streets of Hanoi, waving the national flags of both countries, enthusiastically welcoming General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping and his wife, along with the high-level delegation of the Chinese Party and State, to Vietnam. Later that afternoon, at the Presidential Palace, a solemn state welcoming ceremony for General Secretary and President Xi Jinping was held, presided over by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong. The two leaders beamed with joy, shaking hands and chatting warmly upon their reunion. To the sound of the national anthems of both countries, a 21-gun salute boomed, welcoming the Chinese leader to Vietnam. During his meeting with Chinese President and General Secretary Xi Jinping, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong emphasized that President Xi Jinping's third visit to Vietnam demonstrated his special affection for the traditional friendship, the current stature of bilateral relations, and the bright prospects for future relations between the two countries. General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong expressed his belief that the visit marked a new historical milestone, elevating relations between the two parties and countries to a new level, meeting the common aspirations and interests of the people of both countries, and contributing to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world. General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong affirmed the foreign policy of the Vietnamese Party and State, stating that Vietnam considers developing relations with China a top priority and a strategic choice. Vietnam supports the strong development of socialist China, making increasingly important contributions to the cause of peace and progress of humanity. Chinese President and General Secretary Xi Jinping expressed his pleasure at revisiting Vietnam and his emotion at meeting General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong again. He affirmed that the Chinese Party, Government, and people attach great importance to relations with Vietnam, considering Vietnam a priority in their neighborly foreign policy. Xi also stated that China firmly supports Vietnam's socialist construction and its prosperous development and people's happiness.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and his wife, along with General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping and his wife, pose for a photo at the official welcoming ceremony on the afternoon of December 12 - Photo: NGUYEN KHANH

Building a community that shares the future.

Given the high importance placed on the relationship between the two parties and countries, the achievements of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership over the past 15 years, and in light of new demands, both sides agreed to build a "Vietnam-China community with a shared future of strategic significance," striving for the happiness of the people of both countries, for peace and progress of humanity, in accordance with the United Nations Charter and international law, based on the principles of mutual respect, equal and mutually beneficial cooperation, respect for each other's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and persistently resolving disagreements through peaceful means. Also at the talks, both sides agreed to strengthen more substantive defense and security cooperation, making it one of the pillars of bilateral relations, while promoting more sustainable and in-depth economic, trade, and investment cooperation. Vietnam and China will strengthen education on the traditional relationship between the two parties and countries, enhance closer multilateral coordination for the benefit of both countries, and make positive contributions to the common interests of the international community. Regarding maritime issues, the two leaders had a sincere and frank exchange of views, emphasizing the need for better control and proactive resolution of disagreements at sea, maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea and the region. General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping agreed with General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's view that both sides should jointly direct and thoroughly implement throughout the entire party, people, and armed forces of both countries a higher spirit and greater determination to promote the Vietnam-China relationship to develop more steadily, stably, sustainably, and effectively at a new level of comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership. General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong then respectfully invited and joined General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping for a tea reception. That evening, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and his wife, and President Vo Van Thuong and his wife hosted a grand reception to welcome General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping and his wife on their state visit to Vietnam.

Personal relationships foster national relations.

Commenting to Tuoi Tre newspaper on the relationship between the two leaders, Professor Zhao Weihua (Fudan University, China) said that as top leaders of China and Vietnam, General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping and General Secretary of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong "have always viewed the China-Vietnam relationship from a strategic perspective, consolidating and maintaining the traditional friendship between China and Vietnam, and promoting the development of bilateral relations." According to Professor Zhao Weihua, thanks to the consensus and good personal relationship between the two leaders, mutual political trust between China and Vietnam has continuously improved in recent years, economic and trade cooperation and exchanges have continuously deepened, and the relationship between the two countries has continuously developed to new heights.

Two ladies visit the Women's Museum.

Ms. Peng Liyuan and Ms. Wu Shiman at the Vietnam Women's Museum - Photo: NGUYEN HONG

On December 12th, Mrs. Ngo Thi Man (wife of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong) and Professor Peng Liyuan (wife of General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping) visited the Vietnam Women's Museum. There, the two ladies toured the exhibition rooms and listened to presentations about the museum's documents and artifacts, which aim to honor the beauty of Vietnamese women and reflect the development and changes in the role, status, and lives of women in society over time. Professor Peng Liyuan sincerely thanked Mrs. Nguyen Phu Trong for accompanying her to the museum, which helped her better understand the diligence and courage of Vietnamese women. Mrs. Peng Liyuan – a Goodwill Ambassador for the World Health Organization on tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS prevention, and a Special Ambassador for UNESCO on the education of women and girls – listened to shared experiences during a meeting and exchange with exemplary educators and girls aiming to promote education. She expressed her admiration for the exemplary Vietnamese women and highly appreciated the role of education in changing the destinies of many disadvantaged women and girls. In a warm and friendly atmosphere, Mrs. Ngo Thi Man and Professor Peng Li Yuan enjoyed tea together, watched a fashion show of traditional Vietnamese ao dai dresses, and witnessed performances of Vietnamese traditional musical instruments. The visit of the wives left a deep impression, serving as a valuable source of encouragement, strengthening friendship, and fostering connections and exchanges between women and people of the two countries.

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