The visit by General Secretary and President To Lam marks a shining milestone and a new beginning in the traditional friendship between Viet Nam and China, as both countries enter important phases of development: Viet Nam is stepping into a new era following the successful 14th National Party Congress, while China is implementing its 15th Five-Year Plan.
Through the visit, leaders of Viet Nam and China reaffirmed their determination to elevate strategic connectivity between the two parties and the two countries, for the sake of peace, stability, and development in the region and the world.
Viet Nam and China, as close neighbours sharing mountains and rivers, have many similarities in culture and moral traditions. Their close geographical and historical ties, together with sustained efforts to nurture sincere affection and a shared aspiration for peace and stability among their peoples, form a solid foundation for the robust development of bilateral relations.
The strong bonds of friendship and comprehensive, effective bilateral cooperation were underscored during talks and meetings between the leaders of the two countries within the framework of the visit. At talks with General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping, General Secretary and President To Lam affirmed that Viet Nam consistently regards the development of relations with China as a consistent policy, a strategic choice, and a top priority within its overall foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation, and diversification.
The two general secretaries and presidents affirmed that, amid the complex international landscape, the two parties and two countries need to maintain close solidarity, strengthen strategic trust, and enhance connectivity in policies, trade, infrastructure, and energy, while further deepening and elevating Viet Nam-China relations in the new period, thereby making practical contributions to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and beyond.
General Secretary and President To Lam also held meetings with other Chinese leaders, including Premier Li Qiang; Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress; and Wang Huning, Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.
During the visit, the two sides issued a joint statement between the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and the People’s Republic of China on continuing to deepen their comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and advancing the building of a Viet Nam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance at a higher level in the new era.
The statement emphasised that Viet Nam and China share common aspirations and a common path, as well as a shared future; the positive development of Viet Nam-China relations is of strategic, holistic, and historic significance, and represents a shared strategic choice of both countries.
The two sides agreed that, in order to further develop bilateral relations, the strategic direction set by the top leaders of the two parties is decisive, exchanges and cooperation across fields are the driving force, and the friendship between the two peoples is the foundation.
The new context places a significant mission on the youth of both countries: not only to foster creativity and serve as a core force in national development, but also to act as an important bridge for Viet Nam-China friendship.
At a meeting with young people from both countries participating in the “Red Study Tours” programme, General Secretary and President To Lam expressed his hope that the younger generations would build firm political resolve and sound ideals; continuously enhance their awareness of the importance and strategic stature of Viet Nam-China relations; and strengthen mutual learning, promote innovation and creativity, master science and technology, and uphold a spirit of volunteerism, thereby making worthy contributions to the development of each country and to bilateral friendship.
The determination to strengthen trust, respect, and mutual understanding between the peoples of the two countries, as well as to educate and nurture future generations to preserve and carry forward the profound Viet Nam-China friendship, was once again affirmed in General Secretary and President To Lam’s policy speech at Tsinghua University.
In his address, he stressed that alongside high-level exchanges and cooperation among ministries, sectors and localities, greater attention should be paid to people-to-people exchanges, youth and academic exchanges, and cooperation in culture, education, and tourism, so that every citizen and every young person in both countries feels responsible for preserving and enriching Viet Nam-China friendship.
He also proposed that science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation become new highlights and pillars of bilateral relations in the new period.
Within the framework of the visit, the two sides committed to strongly promoting comprehensive and effective bilateral cooperation across multiple fields, including railway connectivity and sub-national cooperation.
The image of General Secretary and President To Lam travelling by rail in both China and Viet Nam carries profound symbolic significance, reflecting the determination to make railway cooperation a new highlight of strategic cooperation between the two countries. On the high-speed train from Beijing to Nanning, he called on Chinese railway authorities and enterprises to share their experience, provide support, and participate with Viet Nam in the construction and technology transfer for key railway projects.
The state visit to China by General Secretary and President To Lam, his spouse, and the high-level Vietnamese delegation marked a new beginning in the journey of cooperation and friendship between Viet Nam and China. The high regard and firm confidence of the top leaders of the two parties and countries in carrying forward the deep Viet Nam-China friendship will serve as a driving force for the younger generations, the future masters of both nations, to follow in the footsteps of their predecessors and write new golden chapters of friendship through intellect, creativity, ambition, and a spirit of dedication.
