Professor Fan Jine, a Vietnam scholar and senior researcher with the Institute of Marxism Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in an interview with VOV. (Photo: Bich Thuan/VOV)

As close neighbors with a long history of friendship, Vietnam and China place great importance on strengthening political trust and friendship, which is a consistent orientation for stable growth of the relationship amid a complex and changing political landscape.

Their Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership established in December 2023, with the goal of building a “Vietnam–China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance” with the “Six more” approach, opened a new chapter in their relations.

Strengthening traditional friendship

President Xi’s visit is of exceptional importance. Vietnam is the first country he has visited in 2025. It’s his fourth visit to Vietnam as China’s top leader and the second during his current term. This underscores the great importance the Chinese Party, State, and Mr. Xi personally place on the development of the friendly neighborliness and comprehensive cooperation with Vietnam.

Professor Fan Jine, a Vietnam scholar and senior researcher with the Institute of Marxism Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said: “The Communist Party of China recently convened a plenum on foreign affairs with neighboring countries. In his address, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that neighborhood diplomacy should be considered a central task and a key priority to promote shared prosperity with neighboring countries. In this context, Vietnam stands out as an especially important neighbor and the Vietnam-China relationship is of special importance. This is Mr. Xi’s first overseas trip this year and Vietnam is his first destination, which clearly shows that China’s foreign policy toward Vietnam is the top priority of its neighborhood diplomacy. It also reflects China’s high regard for the Vietnam-China relationship.”

Building on recent effective and substantive cooperation across multiple sectors, President Xi’s visit is expected to solidify political trust and set orientations for the stable and healthy development of bilateral relations, especially in light of current global and regional developments.

Spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Lin Jian. (Photo: Bich Thuan/VOV)

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said: “The visit takes place on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of China-Vietnam diplomatic ties, a moment of profound significance as both countries reflect on the past and look ahead to the future. China hopes to use this important milestone to work with Vietnam to strengthen a traditional friendship defined by a spirit of ‘comrades as well as brothers,’ enhance strategic trust, deepen substantive cooperation, and advance the development of a China-Vietnam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.”

Realizing a shared vision of the future

Party leader and President Xi’s visit is expected to have a lasting impact on the long-term development of Vietnam–China relations as both countries enter a new stage of growth and cooperation.

During the visit, the Chinese top leader will hold high-level talks with Party General Secretary To Lam and President Luong Cuong, and meet with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man to outline major orientations and measures to strengthen bilateral cooperation across all sectors.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son (Photo: VOV)

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son said: "The visit aims to identify key directions and priorities to make substantive bilateral cooperation more effective and sustainable, and promote high-level cooperation, particularly in areas where Vietnam has demand and China has advantages, such as standard-gauge railways, agricultural trade, science and technology, education and training, the digital economy, and the green economy. Approximately 40 cooperation agreements will be signed in multiple sectors, establishing a foundation for more effective wide-ranging collaboration.”

This visit also marks an important milestone in the Year of Vietnam–China Humanistic Exchanges 2025, expanding cooperation between localities, fostering mutual understanding, solidifying trust, strengthening friendship, and creating a strong foundation for bilateral relations.

In the spirit of the proverb, “If you want to go far, go together,” Vietnam and China are now at a pivotal moment to jointly realize shared aspirations and a common vision of a bright future, grounded in shared determination, a unified voice, and coordinated action for peace and prosperity in the region.