XiWelcomesVietnam’sToLam,PushingBroadPactonSecurityandTech

Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Vietnam’s top leader, To Lam, pledged to deepen strategic and economic ties while defending their Communist political systems during a high-level summit in Beijing.

Xi held talks with To Lam, who serves as general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and state president, at the Great Hall of the People on the morning of April 15.

Xi congratulated To on his election as state president. According to state news agency Xinhua, Xi noted that To Lam’s decision to visit China for his first trip abroad after taking office reflects the high importance he attaches to developing bilateral relations. Xi expressed confidence that under the Vietnamese party's central leadership headed by To Lam, the country will steadfastly follow the socialist path and forge ahead toward its “two centenaries” goals.

Regardless of changes in the international landscape, Xi said, China will always treat Vietnam as a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy. He expressed a willingness to work with Vietnam to maintain their original aspirations, carry forward their friendship, unite and support each other, and continue advancing comprehensive strategic cooperation. This aims to accelerate the building of a China-Vietnam community with a shared future that carries higher-level strategic significance.

Xi emphasized that party leadership is the most essential feature and greatest advantage of socialism. Defending the socialist system and the ruling position of the Communist parties is the greatest common strategic interest of both, Xi said. He urged both sides to maintain high strategic clarity and focus, remain confident in their paths and systems, and ensure reforms do not alter their fundamental political course.

The two leaders agreed to leverage the special role of party-to-party channels to consolidate political trust. Xi called for utilizing high-level meetings, theoretical seminars, cadre training, and local cooperation. He emphasized executing a new cooperation plan between the Chinese and Vietnamese Communist parties and sharing experiences in party and state governance. Xi also stressed putting political security first, utilizing a strategic dialogue mechanism between diplomatic, defense, and public security bodies, and strengthening ideological education for the younger generation.

On the economic front, both sides intend to align development strategies with a priority on infrastructure connectivity. Xi called for enhanced cooperation in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and the internet of things. China welcomes more high-quality Vietnamese products into its market, Xi said. The two leaders also agreed to boost exchanges in tourism, culture, media, education, and sports, with Xi announcing a readiness to launch the 2026-2027 China-Vietnam Year of Tourism Cooperation.

Xi urged both countries to champion peace, development, and cooperation, while jointly opposing unilateralism and protectionism to maintain global free trade and stable supply chains. He called for joint efforts in advancing Beijing's global development, security, civilization, and governance initiatives. Noting the fifth anniversary of the China-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership, Xi said China is ready to strengthen coordination with regional countries.

In response, To Lam noted this was his first overseas trip since becoming state president, falling on the one-year anniversary of Xi’s historic visit to Vietnam. To Lam thanked the Chinese party, government, and people for their political support of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam. He expressed his desire to carry forward traditional friendship and advance their comprehensive strategic partnership.

He congratulated China on completing its 14th Five-Year Plan and expressed confidence in the successful implementation of its 15th Five-Year Plan, predicting China will hit its second centenary goal and become a pillar of world peace and development.

To Lam said bilateral relations are currently maintaining positive momentum, with defense and security ties moving from dialogue to practical cooperation. He pledged to treat relations with China as an objective necessity, strategic choice, and top priority. To Lam reaffirmed Vietnam’s support for the one-China principle and expressed a willingness to elevate cooperation in trade, investment, tourism, and infrastructure — including railway networks. Both sides must better manage land borders and maintain peace at sea, he said. To Lam also voiced support for Xi’s global initiatives and the vision of building a community with a shared future.

Following the talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing of multiple bilateral agreements spanning party relations, public security, justice, the economy, supply chains, customs, technology, and human resources.