Prime Minister hosts welcome ceremony for Chinese Premier Li Qiang

This is the first official visit to Viet Nam by Premier Li and the first visit by a Chinese Premier to Viet Nam over the past 11 years.

Li's visit is of significant importance as it takes place on the occasion of the 75^th founding anniversary of Viet Nam-China diplomatic relations.

The visit aims to further advance the relations between the two Parties and countries in an increasingly intensive, practical and comprehensive manner, meeting the common aspirations and interests of the people of the two countries, and for peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

Following the welcome ceremony, the two Prime Ministers walked to the Government headquarters for their summit meeting.

On Saturday afternoon, right after landing in Ha Noi, Li met with General Secretary and President To Lam, during which both sides agreed to maintain regular exchanges at all levels, especially the high level; effectively promote the channels of party diplomacy, state diplomacy, and people-to-people diplomacy; boost cooperation in the fields of defense, security, and foreign affairs; together respond effectively to non-traditional security challenges; and improve the effectiveness of existing mechanisms between the two countries and expand the implementation of new mechanisms.

Both sides also agreed on the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the East Sea.

Li will also meet with Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man and co-chair the Viet Nam-China Business Forum.

Viet Nam and China established diplomatic relations on January 18, 1950, making China the first country in the world to set up diplomatic ties with Viet Nam. The two countries elevated relations to comprehensive strategic partnership in 2008.

China has been the largest trading partner of Viet Nam for years, with the two-way trade reaching US$171.9 billion in 2023 and US$130.78 billion in the first eight months this year, a year-on-year increase of 25 percent.

China poured US$4.47 billion in 707 projects in Viet Nam last year, raising its total investment capital in the Southeast Asian nation to US$29 billion, or the 6^th largest foreign investor in Viet Nam./.