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Xi Jinping arrives in Vietnam to boost political, trade ties amid US tariffs
Chinese leader pledges strong ties with Hanoi, rejects protectionism, as he starts Asia tour aimed at projecting Beijing as a stable partner
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In the midst of a tariff war with the US, China’s president has embarked on a Southeast Asia charm offensive, calling for greater strategic trust and alignment with Vietnam, the first stop on his first overseas trip of the year.
At the start of a three-nation tour that includes Malaysia and Cambodia, Xi Jinping met Vietnamese Communist Party chief To Lam in Hanoi on Monday and attended the signing of dozens of bilateral agreements, including deals to improve supply chains and railway cooperation.
Observers said Xi’s trip to Southeast Asia – and Vietnam in particular – was aimed at stabilising ties with its neighbours amid disruptions caused by US President Donald Trump.
It highlighted Beijing’s growing focus on periphery diplomacy to counter external threats despite persistent maritime disputes with its neighbours, they said.
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Xi Jinping arrives in Vietnam to boost political and trade ties amid tariff war with US
Xi Jinping arrives in Vietnam to boost political and trade ties amid tariff war with US
Both Xi and Lam were present at the signing ceremony, according to Reuters, but there was no immediate word on the content of the deals. Vietnamese deputy prime minister Bui Thanh Son had said on the weekend that around 40 agreements would be signed.
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