On Monday, China and Vietnam signed 14 agreements on deals ranging from cross-border rail projects to crocodile exports after a meeting between President Xi Jinping of China and Vietnam’s new leader, To Lam, in Beijing.

The visit by Lam, the first international trip since he assumed the party post this month, comes to emphasize Vietnam’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations amid growing trade and investment. This visit has been made despite occasional disputes over territorial claims in the South China Sea.

Xi Jinping emphasized that China regarded Vietnam as an important partner in regional diplomacy, offering support to Vietnam’s adherence to the leadership of the Communist Party, the path of socialism, and the process of reform and modernization, and stressing the building of good working relations and personal rapport with Lam.

According to To Lam, strengthening bilateral relations is “the top priority” in the foreign policy of Vietnam, and he tried to reassure Beijing that his visit was a “reaffirmation of Vietnam’s consistent commitment to its relations with China.”.

In such regard, Lam has sought Chinese assistance in the form of soft loans and technology to improve Vietnam’s transport infrastructure. The two leaders have also agreed to enhance defense and security cooperation. Xi has also promised to increase the import of Vietnamese agricultural products.

The two countries signed agreements regarding planning and feasibility studies for standardized railway routes, which were earlier agreed upon by Xi during his state visit to Hanoi in December. The projects include the railway connection between Vietnam’s Lao Cai and Haiphong, and a possible link between China’s Shenzhen and Haiphong.

An upgraded Vietnamese rail network is likely to help trade and investment, especially as manufacturers from China are diverting production to Vietnam amid the continuing trade tensions between Beijing and Washington.

Other agreements involved cooperation between central banks, media, health sectors, and the inspection of coconut, crocodile, and durian agricultural products.

After the signing ceremony, Xi and Lam held talks over tea, described by Chinese official media Xinhua as taking place in a “cordial and friendly atmosphere.”

The two countries are to issue a joint declaration to further strengthen their strategic partnership. Lam arrived in the southern city of Guangzhou on Sunday for a three-day visit that will also include meetings with Premier Li Qiang and other top Chinese officials. During his stay, Lam has also toured places in China related to the revolutionary activities of former President Ho Chi Minh.

Editor’s Note:
China and Vietnam are important neighbors sharing maritime boundaries of South China Sea but are at odds with each other due to Chinese 9 Dash Line claim over this sea. China has this dispute with other neighboring countries located around South China Sea as well. US has recently step up its diplomatic efforts to extend its political influence in Vietnam and Philippine by offering various military cooperation deals and is going to set up military bases to counter growing Chinese influence in the region and beyond. Washington considers both these countries key partners in Indo-Pacific framework it announced in 2022.

Shahzad Masood Roomi

Shahzad Masood Roomi is founding member and, editor security and geopolitics at GCW. He is IT graduate and has more than 10 years experience of being a  geopolitics and defense affairs analyst. He focuses on IR, geopolitics, strategic studies, maritime security, cybersecurity issues, military aviation, history and geography. His work has published in national and international media outlets.