China and Vietnam signed 14 documents covering cross-border railways to crocodile exports on Monday (Aug. 19) after Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Vietnam's new leader To Lam in Beijing.
Lam's visit to Beijing, her first overseas trip since she was appointed party chief earlier this month, signals a desire between the two communist neighbors to strengthen ties as trade and investment grow and despite occasional clashes over borders in the South China Sea.
“China has always regarded Vietnam as a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy, and supports Vietnam in following the Party’s leadership, taking the socialist path that suits its national conditions, and deepening the cause of socialist reform and modernization,” Xi said, highlighting Vietnam’s good working relationship and personal friendship with Lam.
Lam described the bilateral relationship as “a top priority in Vietnam’s foreign policy” and called his visit to China “an affirmation of the Vietnamese Communist Party and government to value relations with China.”
The two countries signed documents on planning and feasibility studies for standard-issue rail routes, a new step towards improving cross-border rail links, after a preliminary agreement on the issue was signed in December during Xi's state visit to Hanoi.
In December, the two countries said they would work on cross-border rail connectivity, naming three projects including one linking mountainous Lao Cai in northwest Vietnam to the port city of Haiphong and a potential project linking Shenzhen in China to Haiphong.
Vietnamese officials say the rail link will be high on the agenda when the two leaders meet at the summit.
The two countries are linked by two rail lines from southern China to Vietnam's northern industrial hub and capital, Hanoi, but Vietnam's infrastructure dates back to French colonial times and has a different gauge than China's high-speed rail, forcing passengers and goods to exchange trains at the border.
Vietnam's rail upgrade could boost trade and investment, as more Chinese factories move some export-oriented operations to Vietnam amid trade tensions between China and the United States.
Other documents signed include cooperation between the central bank, media, health, and quarantine and inspection of coconuts, crocodiles and durians.
After the signing, Xi and Lam continued discussions on important issues of common concern while sipping tea in a “cordial and friendly atmosphere,” China’s state media Xinhua said.
The two countries will issue a joint declaration to further strengthen their strategic partnership, Xinhua said.
Lam arrived in China's southern province of Guangzhou on Sunday for a three-day visit that includes meetings with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and other top Chinese officials.
While in Guangzhou, he visited several locations in China where former President Ho Chi Minh had carried out revolutionary activities.
China and Vietnam established diplomatic ties in 1950 and formed a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership in 2008 which was further strengthened five years later to expand issues of common concern at the international and regional levels. (ab/lt)
