Xi's visit to strengthen China-Vietnam bond, regional growth

ROBUST PRACTICAL COOPERATION

Under the strategic guidance of the top leaders of the two parties and two countries, practical cooperation between China and Vietnam has continued to expand across various sectors, providing solid foundations for building a community with a shared future.

Economic and trade relations between the two sides have reached new heights. China has remained Vietnam's largest trading partner for more than two decades, with total bilateral trade exceeding $260 billion in 2024. Chinese enterprises' direct investment in the Southeast Asian nation surpassed $2.5 billion in the same year, sustaining swift growth.

Agricultural cooperation continues to bear fruit. High-quality Vietnamese products are increasingly welcomed by Chinese consumers, bringing tangible benefits to Vietnamese farmers and catering to the growing demand in the Chinese market.

Infrastructure connectivity has also seen significant progress, further facilitating cross-border trade.

"Railway connectivity and cold-chain transport between China and Vietnam have cut logistics costs, accelerated customs clearance, and ensured fresher, more affordable Vietnamese produce for Chinese consumers," said Nguyen Ba Hai, an official at the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade.

In a major development, Vietnam's National Assembly approved investment for the Lao Cai-Hanoi-Hai Phong railway project in February, marking a key step in strengthening cross-border exchanges.

Vietnam plans to begin construction on this line in 2025, with planning for the Mong Cai-Ha Long-Hai Phong and Dong Dang-Hanoi standard-gauge railways expected to be completed by 2026, said Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son.

In the signed article, Xi expressed China's readiness to advance cooperation with Vietnam on the three standard-gauge railways in northern Vietnam.

Upgrading cross-border railways and ports can not only boost bilateral trade, but also enhance connectivity and resilience across the region, said Do Thi Thu, a senior lecturer at the Banking Academy of Vietnam.

Meanwhile, China and Vietnam have launched a number of landmark livelihood projects, enhancing the synergy of their development strategies.

Solar panels, waste-to-energy plants and other bilateral clean energy projects have boosted electricity supply in Vietnam, while the Cat Linh-Ha Dong metro line built by a Chinese company makes public transport in Hanoi more convenient.

"The benefits brought by Vietnam-China economic and trade cooperation are evident," said Nguyen Thi Phuong Hoa, deputy director at the Institute of Chinese Studies of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences.

The enhanced economic exchanges have also contributed to vibrant cultural exchanges.

In 2024 alone, Chinese tourists made over 3.7 million visits to Vietnam. The launch of the Detian-Ban Gioc Waterfall Cross-Border Tourism Cooperation Zone has made it possible to visit both countries in a single day. Chinese film and television productions and video games are popular among young Vietnamese, and more people in Vietnam are learning Chinese.

Noting that this year marks the China-Vietnam Year of People-to-People Exchanges, Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam He Wei said that through a series of activities, the bond between the two peoples will become even closer, and the public support for bilateral relations will become increasingly robust.