This marks Premier Li Qiang's first visit to Vietnam. The two leaders have previously engaged in several bilateral and multilateral meetings.

Premier Li Qiang's visit follows the successful trip made by General Secretary and President To Lam and his spouse to China in mid-August.  

In a congratulatory message marking the 75th anniversary of China’s National Day (October 1, 1949 - October 1, 2024), Vietnam’s Party and state leaders emphasized the nation's consistent strategy of strengthening and developing a stable, healthy, and friendly cooperative relationship with China. This relationship is a strategic choice and a top priority in Vietnam's independent, autonomous, and diverse foreign policy.

Vietnam’s leadership reaffirmed its readiness to work with China's senior leaders to maintain regular exchanges, strengthen strategic direction for bilateral relations, and continue fostering traditional friendship between the two Parties and countries. Furthermore, the leaders aim to enhance mutual understanding between the two peoples, push forward the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership, and build a shared future for Vietnam and China that is ever deeper and more effective.

Since early 2024, the relationship between the two countries has maintained positive momentum, with strong cooperation across various sectors and levels. Both sides have acknowledged that bilateral relations have reached an unprecedented level of depth and comprehensiveness.

Economic, trade, and investment ties between Vietnam and China have grown robustly, with China being one of Vietnam's largest trade and investment partners. Various challenges have been addressed and resolved in recent times.

In the first half of 2024, bilateral trade volume increased by 24.1% compared to the same period in 2023, reaching $94.5 billion. China also continued to lead in foreign direct investment (FDI), with 447 new projects and a total registered capital of nearly $1.3 billion.

Agricultural cooperation has also advanced, with both sides finalizing procedures for the official export of several Vietnamese agricultural products to China, such as frozen durian, fresh coconuts, fresh chili, and passion fruit.

Defense and security cooperation has grown through various channels, and new mechanisms have been established and implemented.

People-to-people exchanges have been lively, not only through official organizations but also in terms of travel between the two countries. In the first seven months of 2024, over 2.1 million Chinese tourists visited Vietnam, making China the second-largest source of international visitors to the country.

Tran Thuong