China willing to increase agricultural imports from Vietnam: top leader Xi Jinping

China is willing to expand the import of Vietnamese agricultural products and encourage Chinese enterprises to increase high-quality investment in Vietnam, Chinese Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping said during a meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in Hanoi on Monday.

PM Chinh emphasized that the visit of Chinese Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping is the most important high-level event in Vietnam-China relations this year. It contributes to maintaining the tradition of close high-level exchanges between the two Parties and countries.

The Vietnamese government leader expressed appreciation for Xi's four visits to Vietnam in his position as a Chinese leader, believing that this historic visit will provide strategic direction and fresh impetus to further foster ties between the two Parties and countries.

During the meeting, PM Chinh highlighted Vietnam's recent socio-economic progress, saying that the nation's commitment to its 'three strategic breakthroughs' and 'strategic quartet' approach, focusing on science-technology, administrative system streamlining, private sector growth, and an independent, self-reliant, globally integrated economy.

PM Chinh proposed strengthening political trust to guide overall relations, maintaining regular exchanges between top leaders and enhancing national defense-security cooperation as a cornerstone of the relationship and mutual support within multilateral frameworks.

He urged both nations to enhance the quality and effectiveness of practical cooperation, particularly in credit, technology transfer, and workforce training for railway development.

He urged the signing of an ODA loan agreement to commence construction of the Lao Cai-Hanoi-Hai Phong railway in 2025, and Dong Dang-Hanoi and Mong Cai-Ha Long-Hai Phong railway projects in the coming time.

PM Chinh also called for balanced and sustainable trade growth, suggesting China to facilitate greater market access for Vietnamese agricultural products and other goods.

The prime minister called for strengthening cooperation in developing new productive forces, with a focus on science-technology, innovation, and digital transformation.

He also voiced his hope for the launch of large, symbolic projects of the two country's relations in Vietnam, as well as the creation of new benchmarks in environment, finance, culture, education, tourism, and aviation cooperation.

He proposed that both sides continue to build a borderline of peace, friendship, cooperation, and development, maintain peace and stability at sea, and strengthen a favorable environment for each country's development, while adhering to high-level common perceptions, appropriately managing and resolving disagreements in the spirit of friendship and mutual respect, in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

For his part, Chinese Party General Secretary and President Xi expressed his impression of the strong momentum of Vietnam's Doi Moi (Renovation) process and congratulated Vietnam on its significant achievements in socio-economic development, particularly its high and stable economic growth.

He also wished Vietnam success in organizing the 14th National Party Congress, ushering the country into an era of prosperity and growth.

Xi affirmed that the Party and government of China are committed to a friendship policy toward Vietnam and always consider Vietnam a priority in their neighboring diplomacy.

He reiterated China's firm support for Vietnam's path of socialism, tailored to its specific circumstances, stating that China stands ready to work with Vietnam to build a community with a shared future, contributing to the advancement of humanity.

He expressed his pleasure at the positive results achieved during his talks with Vietnam's Party General Secretary To Lam, noting that the two sides signed over 40 practical and comprehensive cooperation agreements.

The Chinese leader praised PM Chinh for his important contributions to promoting cooperation across areas between the two countries.

He highly evaluated the Vietnamese prime minister's proposals for strengthening relations between the two Parties and countries, expressing his hope that the two sides will make full use of existing exchange channels, such as through foreign affairs, national defense, and public security agencies.

He hoped the two countries would seize development opportunities in science and technology, leverage their geographical proximity to tap into economic cooperation potential, and actively promote railway cooperation mechanisms.

Xi suggested the two sides effectively organize activities within the framework of the Year of China-Vietnam Humanistic Exchange 2025, launch tourism routes, and strengthen cooperation in education and healthcare to benefit the two nations' people.

He also called on relevant ministries and agencies of the two sides to actively implement cooperation projects, properly manage differences based on high-level common perceptions, promote cooperation at sea, and jointly maintain peace and stability in the region and the world.

Chinese Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping landed at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi at noon on Monday.

This is Xi's second state visit to Vietnam during his third term.

Xi has visited Vietnam four times as a Chinese leader, including once in December 2011 when he was vice-president of China.

The visit comes amid the positive development of the relations between Vietnam and China and holds added significance as 2025 marks the 75th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between the two countries.

In 2024, bilateral trade between Vietnam and China reached a record of US$205.2 billion.

China became Vietnam's first trading partner with a trade value exceeding $200 billion and remains Vietnam's largest trading partner.

Vietnam is also China's largest trading partner within ASEAN.

Thanh Ha - Duy Linh / Tuoi Tre News

(2025/04/15-17:33)