Xi urges China, Vietnam to step up connectivity, new quality productive forces cooperation

BEIJING -- President Xi Jinping on Wednesday called on China and Vietnam to step up connectivity, jointly build frontier platform for new quality productive forces cooperation, and build stable and smooth cross-border industrial and supply chains.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks during his phone talks with General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee To Lam.

Xi said he is glad to hold phone talks with To Lam at the turn of the year and on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties, recalling that during To Lam's state visit to China last August, the two leaders had in-depth exchanges and reached broad consensus on deepening relations between the two parties and the two countries, as well as jointly promoting the development of socialist cause.

Over the past six months, the two sides have been active in implementation of the consensus, and the cooperation issues the two leaders agreed on have achieved positive progress, Xi said.

The year 2025 marks the conclusion of China's 14th Five-Year Plan period, and a key year for the preparation of 14th National Congress of the CPV, Xi said, noting it is a year of great significance for both countries that serves as both a point of continuity and a new starting point.

The two sides should continue to rejuvenate and strengthen the two parties, deepen exchanges of socialist theory and practical experience, and promote the development of the socialist cause amid great changes unseen in a century, said Xi.

It is necessary to fully leverage the political guidance of high-level exchanges and continue to maintain close exchanges, Xi said, adding the two countries should push for more results in mutually beneficial cooperation.

The two sides should carry out warm and down to earth people-to-people and cultural exchanges that connect people's hearts, and strengthen exchanges and cooperation in areas such as media, culture and tourism, as well as between the youths of the two nations and at the sub-national level, creating more projects that win the hearts of the people, Xi said.

The two countries should also strengthen international and regional coordination, safeguard international fairness and justice, and jointly build a community with a shared future for mankind, he added.

Xi pointed out that since the 13th National Congress of the CPV, the CPV has united and led all the Vietnamese people to overcome various difficulties and challenges and make new achievements in the cause of socialist construction and renovation.

It is believed that under the leadership of the Central Committee of the CPV headed by Comrade To Lam, the party, the state and the people of Vietnam will focus on ensuring the 14th National Congress a success, and firmly advance toward Vietnam's two centennial goals, Xi said.

For his part, To Lam first extended sincere condolences over the heavy loss of life and property caused by the earthquake in China's Xizang Autonomous Region, expressing confidence that under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Xi at its core, China will overcome the damage caused by the earthquake at an early date.

The Vietnamese side sincerely admires the tremendous development achievements made by the Chinese people under the leadership of the CPC, and believes that China will leverage its advantages in economic scale and development of new quality productive forces and continue to make greater achievements in development, To Lam said.

He added that Vietnam actively supports the three major global initiatives proposed by Xi and is willing to strengthen cooperation with China within this framework.

To Lam noted that over the past year, Vietnam has united the whole party and nation to overcome many difficulties and challenges, achieving significant new results in economic and social development.

To Lam said that with the goal of preparing for the 14th National Congress of the CPV, Vietnam is set to embark on a new era of development, which envisions a prosperous, powerful, democratic, equitable, and civilized nation.

In this process, Vietnam will learn from China's development experience as much as possible, especially the new theoretical and practical innovation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, he added.

To Lam said that Vietnam will continue to give top priority to developing Vietnam-China relations in its foreign policy, strengthen strategic communication between the two parties and two countries, enhance policy alignment with China, jointly host the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties, properly manage and resolve differences, and push forward the building of a Vietnam-China community with a shared future of strategic significance.

Xi and To Lam jointly announced the official launch of the China-Vietnam Year of People-to-People Exchanges, and exchanged New Year greetings, wishing the two peoples good luck and well-being.