Xi, leaders engage in high-level talks

Beijing, Hanoi called on to boost exchanges

President Xi Jinping has underlined the need for China and Vietnam to firm up their confidence in the socialist path and system and strengthen unity and cooperation, in order to ensure steady progress in the building of a community with a shared future amid a rapidly evolving global landscape marked by turbulence and transformation.

Xi made the remarks on Sunday when meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in Tianjin.

Xi recalled his state visit to Vietnam in April and urged relevant government departments and local authorities to step up implementation of the consensus reached by both sides during that trip to make more substantial achievements in the comprehensive strategic cooperation between the two countries.

He expressed China's willingness to deepen exchanges with Vietnam on experiences in state and party governance, and said that both sides should actively promote cooperation in mutual connectivity, the digital economy and artificial intelligence.

Xi called on the two countries to strengthen exchanges of experience in the construction of free trade zones and special economic zones to contribute to each other's modernization efforts. He also called for enhanced multilateral cooperation to safeguard the common interests of the Global South.

Chinh said Vietnam and China enjoy shared strategic interests as both pursue the socialist path, adding that developing relations with China is Vietnam's strategic choice and top priority in its foreign policy.

Chinh said that Vietnam is ready to align its development strategies with China, expand trade and investment cooperation, enhance mutual connectivity and increase cultural and people-to-people exchanges, working together toward modernization.

CAO DESHENG